The memorial plaque commemorates the transports at Bohušovice nad Ohří train station

On Sunday, January 15, 2012, a ceremonial unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to the transports of Jewish citizens during World War II took place on Platform 1 of Bohušovice nad Ohří train station. The production and installation of the memorial plaque were initiated by students and teachers of the Přírodní škola Gymnasium, along with their friends, with the support of the Terezín Initiative and the Jewish Museum in Prague. The production and financing were significantly contributed to by Petr Chaloupek from the Pletka and Gravis company, Josef Svoboda, and individual students of Přírodní škola, their parents, and the Terezín Initiative. The plaque is made of plastic with a bronze imitation. The inscription itself is in Czech, English, German, and Hebrew.

The unveiling of the plaque began at 2:30 PM. After the introductory welcome, Dr. Leo Pavlát, the director of the Jewish Museum in Prague, spoke, followed by Dr. Toman Brod on behalf of the survivors. Both emphasized the significance of the Bohušovice nad Ohří train station in the context of the Holocaust and reminded everyone of the cruel reality faced by tens of thousands of deportees, for whom this place became a gateway from which there was no return. Then, the verses of Hanuš Hachenburg were recited, followed by a moment of solemn silence and the singing of the Jewish song “Šalom chaverim,” after which the plaque was unveiled. To conclude the gathering, everyone sang together the song “Terezínský marš” by Karel Švenk, which was created during the war in the ghetto and became an unofficial anthem there, and they listened to a greeting from the mayor of Bohušovice nad Ohří, Ivo Hynl. The program ended with refreshments and a friendly meeting in the train station waiting room. The initiative and the idea of placing the plaque originated during the activities of our school and the Terezínská štafeta project.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, despite the freezing weather.

“In memory of the Jewish citizens of Czechoslovakia, Germany, and other countries who were deported through Bohušovice nad Ohří station to the Terezín Ghetto between 1941 and 1945, and the majority of them further to extermination camps.”

Memorial plaque to Pavlo Lion in Prague’s Karlín

On Friday 4th November 2016, a memorial plaque was unveiled in Prague Karlín in honor of  a Jewish boy Paul Lion (born 1930), who lived before his deportation to the Terezín Ghetto in  Karlín. In Terezín he was later accommodated in the boys‘ home Nešarim, where he was the  chief editor of the secret magazine Rim-Rim-Rim. In the autumn of 1944, he was taken to the  Auschwitz – Birkenau extermination camp and was murdered there with his mother and  younger brother. 

Some of the witnesses who passed through Terezín also came to see the unveiling of the  plaque. The witness Helga Hošková, who knew Paul from Prague, remembered him in a few  sentences. Erich Spitz, who lived with Paul in Terezín in the boys‘ home Nešarim, and who  arrived at the event from his current home in France, also spoke to the present public. He  emphasized that Paul’s and others’ dream to meet after the war in peace had not come true.  But it is all the more important not to forget and lead people to mutual dialogue and  understanding. Other witnesses of the Terezín ghetto also took part in the event. Poems,  which were written by kids in Terezin and which students together with their teachers set to  music were also heard at this event. The event was also attended by fifth-graders of Lyčkovo  náměstí Elementary School, who read part of the adventurous story Club of the Five Third Graders. It was written by Paul Lion in Terezín and its plot takes place in Karlín and Žižkov.  Thanks to the children from Lyčkovo náměstí Elementary School and their parents and  teachers, food was also provided at the event. At the event, the name of graphic Josef  Svoboda, who was the author of the memorial plaque and died shortly after its completion,  was also mentioned. 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization of the event, especially the housing cooperative U nás, Mr. Petr Chaloupek, Polévkárna (Soup Kitchen), Lyčkovo náměstí Elementary School, Potichounku association, the survivors, and above all, the boys and girls who honored the memory of their peers from the difficult times of World War II.

The editor-in-chief of the Terezín magazine Rim-rim-rim, Pavel Lion, wrote to his friends in one of the magazine’s issues:

“Dear friends who are leaving, I have no words to express what I feel as you depart, friends with whom I have lived for almost two years. I just want to tell you that even though you are leaving today, we will remain connected by the bond of friendship, and that when the time comes and you need something, the other members of the Nešarim home will always help you, for we are like one family. Let us hope that Providence will bring us together again and that we will live together once more, more freely.”