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Press Information published by the International Auschwitz Committee

03.05.2022

Prof. Felix Kolmer, Auschwitz survivor and Czech Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee turns 100

 
 
Prof. Felix Kolmer, Czech Jewish survivor of Auschwitz and Czech Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee. Image: memoryofnations.eu, IAC Berlin

Prof. Felix Kolmer, Czech Jewish survivor of Auschwitz and Czech Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee. Image: memoryofnations.eu, IAC Berlin

 

 

 

Today, it is the 100th birthday of the Czech Jewish survivor of Auschwitz and Czech Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Prof. Felix Kolmer, who is marking his 100th anniversary in the Jewish retirement home Hagibor in Prague.

Felix Kolmer, who was deported to Theresienstadt (Terezín) in 1941 and then to Auschwitz in 1944, was liberated at the age of 23 in one of the Gross-Rosen a satellite camps.

After the war Felix Kolmer studied physics and later became a specialist in acoustics teaching at Prague Technical University. Soon after his liberation Felix Kolmer realized that his life could not be dominated forever by a hatred of the perpetrators in Theresienstadt and Auschwitz, even though he lost his mother in Theresienstadt.

That is why Felix Kolmer dedicated himself for very many years to talking with young people as a witness of the times, in Germany and many other countries in Europe. His commitment to reconciliation between the Czech and German peoples also led to his longstanding work in the Czech-German Fund for the Future. And to this day, Felix Kolmer remains one of the decisive bridge builders in the conversations between the two peoples.

Felix Kolmer’s work for the compensation of all survivors of German concentration and extermination camps, and for the forced labourers, is also legendary. For many years, as the chairperson of the advice centre for victims of Nazi persecution in Cologne, he stood up for the people who had experienced the same fate as himself. He was also chairman of the Czech Auschwitz Committee for many years. Felix Kolmer has received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony, as well as many other high awards.

On the occasion of Felix Kolmer’s 100th birthday, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee paid tribute in Berlin, saying: “For very many years, thanks to his gentle and determined, persevering way, Felix Kolmer has managed to bring people together, sharing his memories and experiences with them so that the world can become a better place. And thanks to his deep lifelong commitment to the scouts’ movement, Felix Kolmer has remained a strong motivator and inspirer, encouraging people to reach out to each other along the way.”

 
 
 

For further Information

Christoph Heubner

Executive Vice President
International Auschwitz Committee
Phone ++ 49 (0)30 26 39 26 81