Schindler’s Ark, Brnenec

Most people know of the story of Brnenec through the film "Schindler’s List: by Steven Spielberg, created in 1993.

This photo shows people from the local villages and from Brno who came here in 2021 to see the film in the place where it occurred. They saw the scene where Oskar Schindler is given the ring inscribed with “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire”. The ring was given in the main square, where the photo was taken and where you are standing now. They saw the speech Oskar Schindler gave here at the end of the war.

Read the following quotes from Oskar Schindler's last speech, as copied down by his secretary:

“Do not thank me for your survival, thank your own people, who worked day and night to save you from annihilation. Thank the dauntless Stern, Pemper and those others who, looked death in the eye at every moment, thought of everyone and cared for everyone..."

"The documents and records found in Dachau, Buchenwald and the other camps are the first pieces of evidence pointing to monstrous destruction. Nevertheless, I ask you to behave in a humane and just manner. Leave the prosecutions and revenge to those who have been assigned to these matters. If you have accusations to levy at anyone, do so with the proper authorities, because in the new Europe, there will be judges—incorruptible judges—who will hear your pleas.”

“To the SS guards, who are assembled here, who were assigned to this duty without their consent, I thank you also; as heads of families themselves, they have long realized the capricious and senseless nature of their orders.”


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