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Today we visited the Radegast Stadium and were given detailed information about the ghetto in Łódź and the deportation of prisoners. Particularly striking was the long tunnel, which features a ceiling design imitating railway tracks and whose walls display not only key facts about the occupation but, above all, original sources. Here, remembrance was brought to life through a combination of artistic installations, fascinating sources and compelling facts.

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We also visited a large Jewish cemetery and were given a detailed guided tour. It served as a memorial, and we learnt, amongst other things, more about the challenges involved in maintaining the cemetery.

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After enjoying some bagels, we had the opportunity to listen to an interesting talk at the Dialogue Centre. The focus was on the discrimination against Jews that still takes place today, and how seemingly harmless things can easily lead to serious consequences. We are grateful to be made aware of such issues.

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From 4 pm onwards, we were able to spend some free time together with our exchange partners. After exploring the city along the famous Piotrkowska Street, we enjoyed a meal of traditional Polish pierogi in the evening.

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Heute besichtigten wir das Vernichtungslager Kulmhof. Im ersten Teil der Führung wurde uns das Gelände des Vernichtungslagers und seine Geschichte gezeigt. Durch den Workshop wurde an die schreckliche Zeit des zweiten Weltkriegs erinnert und Fragen geklärt.

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Almost at the border...

Bye Bye Germany, see you soon!

The bus ride was very pleasant and comfortable, everyone had their own seat, delicious snacks and the climate was perfect.

The atmosphere was great, while some people managed to catch up on a few hours of sleep.

We took regular breaks, got some fresh air, and stretched our legs.

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Last stop before Lodz...

only 45 minutes left

until we finally see our

exchange partners again :)

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Der zweite Teil der Führung umfasste die Gedenkstätte des Vernichtungslagers und das dazugehörende Waldcamp. Nach 10 Minuten Busfahrt kamen wir zum Waldcamp und sahen die Überreste der Massengräber und anderer Einrichtungen. Durch ein großes Denkmal am Ende der Führung, wird an die Opfer des Camps erinnert.

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On friday we visited the museum of Schindler's fabric in Krakow. We were divided into a polish and a german group and had guided tours.
Schindler was an important person during the Second World War because he saved and helped around  1000 Jews. His courage was impressive. Sadly we didn't get much information about the fabric and Schindler itself. It was more about the hole war but we were expecting some more specific details about the history of the fabric (e.g. how they were working.) A very impressive place was where the names of the saved Jews were written on the wall in a very tiny room.
The sepcial music and colours gave us the opportunity to empathise with the victims.
This experience was very enriching.

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We finally arrived!

A lot to catch up on with our exchange partner who have become close friends.

We took our luggage and met up with our guest parents.

After that most of the students went out to grab some dinner after the long ride.

Everyone was excited what the following week will bring…

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Nach unserer vierstündigen Fahrt sind wir dann endlich in Krakau angekommen und haben unsere Koffer kurz im Hostel abgestellt. Danach sind wir gleich weiter zu einer Stadtführung durch das jüdische Viertel. Nachdem einchecken im Hostel und kurzem Koffer auspacken haben wir dann alle Abend gegessen und hatten abends noch Freizeit für uns selber die Stadt zu erkunden.

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Today we spent the day with our German exchange partners in Łódź. In the morning, we went to school together, where they attended two of our lessons and had a chance to see what school life in Poland looks like. After that, we went on a guided tour of the city. We visited Księży Młyn, Piotrkowska Street, and Manufaktura.

After the sightseeing, we had some free time. We went together to a restaurant, where we enjoyed delicious pierogi, and then we explored the city center of Łódź on our own.

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On 18.04 we vistited Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Oświęcim. It was a really thoughtful tour - it gave us a lot to think about. We saw Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II Birkenau and had a workshop in the evening. It was about witness statements and what we can learn from them in everyday life.

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We learned a lot about the history of Auschwitz. It was established by the Germans in year 1940 on 14th of June. Over 1300000 people were sent there. It was a global tragedy and a symbol of terror and genocide. We were shocked by the enormous area of Auschwitz II Birkenau and the amount of preserved items, such as: suitcases, pots and glasses. This visit will forever stay in our minds as a reminder of human cruelty.

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Łódź - Radegast, Jewish cemetery, Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana

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Łódź - Radegast, Jewish cemetery, Centrum Dialogu im. Marka Edelmana

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The motto was "Ways of Memory" - different ways the nowadays museum tries to preserve history and ensure it is never fergotten or repeated. Walking past these memorials felt quieter, but emotionally very heavy, because everything was focused on remembrance, which for us worked....

Across Auschwiz 2- Birkenau and Auschwiz 1, we saw many memorial stones placed throughout the grounds. They honor the victims and remind us of the lives taken through the misuse of power. They also carry a clear message: the future depends on on our choices.

A central memorial was an urn symbolizing all those reduced to ashes. It stood quietly, but carried a strong meaning of dignity for those who were never given a proper burial.

The Book of names was especially emotional ... A massive record of known victims. Each name represents a real person, not a number and makes the scale of loss deeply personal.

The wall of photographs showed families, friends and prisoners before their imrisonment. Before they were given prisoner uniforms,which effectively sealed their likely fate of death.

Seeing their faces made it clear that they all once had normal lives, hopes, and a future, as we all do.

Another memorial structure represented different cultural burial tradtitions, symbolizing sorrow that these burials did not take place, symbolizing respect, diversity and shared humanity.

We ended with quotes of prisoners that left a lasting impression. It was a difficult but important reminder of why memory matters.

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Coming to Auschwitz 2, we first saw the railway tracks through which more than a million, mostly innocent, people were deported into the camp. On the ramp, prisoners were immediately selected between strong enough for forced Labor or death.

We than followed the path toward Crematoria 4 and 5, were many victims were sent directly after arriving.

We also learned about the barracks: extreme obercrowding, poor or even no hygiene, almost no water, contaminated washing conditions and minimal food. Five to eight people often shared one bed, sourrounded by disease, fleas, mouse infestation and getting almost no sleep because they had to sleep on bare wooden boards or very thin mattresses, often contaminated with feces due to severe diarrhea caused by starvation.

In one barrack, around 400 humans lived under these impossible conditions.

The vastness of the camp was shown through endless barracks, fences and we could clearly see the remains of many buildings. It was then explained that parts of the camp (most of it) were later bombed and destroyed by the Nazis in an attempt to erase evidence of crime.

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We also saw images and the remains of the crematorias, which stand as silent traces of the indescriable horror of what once happened there.

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In Block 5, " Material Proof of Crimes" we saw belongings of victims such as glasses, shoes, tools and personal items such as selfmade things that remind the prisoners of the good things in life and the time before the evil.

A long wall of human hair was especially disturbing, showing how even the last personal dignity was taken away.

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In deep shock and remembrence of the victims

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In deep shock and remembrence of the victims