Dori K. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
A follow-up, directed videotape testimony of Dori K., whose first testimony was recorded in 1979. Ms. K. notes that she does not remember what she said in her testimony, but it was the first time she had spoken at length of her experiences and it was very painful. She recounts that the 1979 testimony freed her to explore her past by visiting the home where she was hidden and an archive in Brussels which contained records of her, her father, and family photographs. She also discusses clarifying some of her own memories; encountering a neighbor who said everyone knew she was Jewish and kept quiet; learning she had been in an institution of which she has no memories; amazement that so many people and institutions helped save her life; reconciling herself to the realization that she would never know some things; feeling that she could "let go" due to her trip, although her memories are constant and continue to frighten her; hoping she is not exploiting her experience when she reads her poetry publicly; ambivalence about sharing her experience with her students in a modern European literature course; remembering only the traumatic and none of the good times during the war; and difficulties communicating with her mother about that time.
Extent and Medium
2 videocassettes (3/4" u-matic)
Conditions Governing Access
This testimony is open with permission.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright has been transferred to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. Use of this testimony requires permission of the Fortunoff Video Archive.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- K., Dori, -- 1939-
Subjects
- Holocaust survivors.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Poetry.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- Hiding.
- Orphanages.
- Women.
- Video tapes.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Aid by non-Jews.
- Child survivors.
- Postwar effects.
- Survivor-child relations.
Places
- Belgium.
- Antwerp (Belgium)
- Brussels (Belgium)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat