Ivan K. Holocaust testimony

Videotape testimony of Ivan K., who was born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia (presently Slovakia) in 1938, the younger of two brothers. He recounts living in Janova Ves; his and his family's conversion to Christianity in 1942; changing their surname to a more Christian one; their exemption from deportation due to his father's job building barracks in Topol̕čany; his participation in the Slovak uprising in 1944; his mother's denunciation as a Jew; hiding in a mansion with his aunt, mother, and brother; staying in tents in a nearby forest; returning to the mansion; finding his father there; digging a bunker in a mountain forest; local non-Jews bringing them food; partisans assisting them; others joining them at times; having to always keep still and quiet; their helpers bringing a Christmas tree and cookies; warnings of German patrols; wandering in the mountains; staying briefly in a cottage; running when Germans approached; staying with hunters in Horné Hámre; hearing battles between partisans and Germans; liberation in April 1945; living with a woman who had stayed in the bunker with them; moving to Topol̕čany in 1946; learning his paternal grandparents had been killed; and completing his education. Mr. K. discusses his childlike perspective of his experiences; attributing their survival to the many non-Jews who helped them; continuing contact with their rescuers; learning about Judaism as an adult; regretting not discussing his experiences with his parents, aunt, or brother; and sharing his experiences with his daughter.

2 videocassettes