A VOICE FOR REMEMBRANCE: CHRISTIAN PFEIL'S JOURNEY FROM THE UN TO BERLIN
Christian Pfeil, a survivor of the Nazi terror, was born in January 1944 in Lubin, a Nazi concentration camp. His family endured persecution and deportation during World War II, with some members tragically murdered in Auschwitz. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, Pfeil’s resilience led him to become a successful entrepreneur in Trier.
However, in 1993, his business was targeted in two separate attacks by unknown assailants, resulting in vandalism and death threats. Undeterred, Pfeil continues to advocate against right-wing extremism and educates younger generations about the persecution faced by Sinti and Roma during the Holocaust.
As one of the few remaining survivors, Pfeil’s unwavering commitment to preserving history and combating discrimination serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Christian Pfeil arrived in Berlin right after his commemorative speech at the United Nations, where he represented the surviving Sinti and Roma community as part of the central ceremony of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In his speech to the UN and in Berlin, Pfeil eloquently highlighted the importance of international recognition of the “forgotten Holocaust” suffered by the Sinti and Roma, emphasizing the systematic destruction fuelled by centuries of anti-Gypsyism and anti-Semitism.
Upon his arrival in berlin, Pfeil granted an interview to Travellers Times, where he shared his experiences as a young adult facing attacks and discrimination.
The video interview, available below, delves into Pfeil’s personal encounters with hate-fuelled violence and his ongoing commitment to advocacy and remembrance.
Pfeil’s presence in Berlin serves as a powerful continuation of his advocacy efforts, amplifying the voices of the Sinti and Roma communities and ensuring their stories are heard on the global stage.
Words, video and photographs by Bela Varadi for the Travellers' Times