In remembrance of Volker von Törne (1934 – 1980)

“I am writing the darkness away from my soul”

The International Auschwitz Committee, the International Youth Meeting Center in Oswiecim / Auschwitz and the Action Reconciliation Service for Peace gathered together in the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony to the Federation in Berlin to commemorate the life and work of the poet and politician Volker von Törne. Volker von Törne would have been 80 years old on 14 March 2014. He headed the Action Reconciliation Service for Peace for many years, and it was in this role that he co-founded the International Youth Meeting Center in Oswiecim / Auschwitz. In addition to this he was emotionally attached to numerous Auschwitz survivors in many European countries. His personal process of coming to terms with his family history as the son of an SS unit commander made him into one of the most important German dialogue partners in Europe for the survivors. His literary works are also concerned with this story. The sensitive and impressive recitation by the actor Hans-Jürgen Schatz gave many of the listeners completely new insights into Törne’s poems.

On 6 April 2014 there will also be a literary event at the International Youth Meeting Center in Oswiecim / Auschwitz commemorating the life and work of Volker von Törne.