Michael V. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of Michael V., who was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1936. He relates his family's long history in Hungary; his father's successful career as a textile businessman; the impact of anti-Jewish laws; his father's compulsory service in a Hungarian labor battalion and subsequent disappearance (he never saw his father again); German occupation in 1944; moving into a building designated for Jews; good relations with non-Jews; learning of deportations; obtaining false papers of protection from the Swiss consulate; living in a Vatican protected house; escaping a round-up of residents of the house; and moving into the ghetto. Mr. V. recalls liberation by Soviet troops; relocating with his mother to his uncle's in the country to avoid starvation; returning to Budapest; leaving for Vienna after the Hungarian revolution; and emigration to the United States. Mr. V. discusses his identity as a Hungarian and as a Jew and his disagreement with the "show business" view that one could survive by virtue of one's own resources and that people were generally willing to assist Jews.
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
- V., Michael, -- 1936-
Subjects
- Holocaust survivors.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Jewish.
- Video tapes.
- Men.
- Jewish ghettos.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children.
- Identification (Religion)
- Jews -- Hungary -- Budapest.
- Postwar experiences.
- Child survivors.
- False papers.
- Aid by non-Jews.
Places
- Hungary.
- Budapest ghetto.
- Budapest (Hungary)
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat