Dr Eva Umlauf, an Auschwitz survivor and one of the last eyewitnesses, is deeply concerned, because politicians are doing too little to combat rampant anti-Semitism. And because society tolerates this hatred.
With her new book ‘Genau so fängt es an – Ein Appell’ (This is exactly how it begins – An appeal) (Hoffmann und Campe, 2026), she speaks out very clearly with a powerful appeal to politicians and society, and asks what ‘Never again!’ means today.
On Wednesday 14 July 2026 at 6 pm, she will read from the book in the Hermann-Levi-Saal at Giessen Town Hall and engage in a discussion with the audience. The event is being held at the invitation of the Centre for Holocaust Literature (AHL) at Justus Liebig University Giessen, the Auschwitz Camp Community – Friends of Auschwitz e. V., the Central Hesse Police Headquarters and the Cultural Office of the University City of Giessen. Dr Anika Binsch (AHL) will moderate the event. Police Chief Torsten Krückemeier will deliver a welcome address. Admission is free.
In her book, Eva Umlauf combines personal memories with an examination of current political developments. She clearly identifies societal failings and describes how democratic certainties are coming under pressure. At the same time, her appeal is underpinned by the conviction that democracy, solidarity and humanity can be defended and strengthened.
Dr Eva Umlauf is one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust. Born in 1942 in the Slovakian labour camp at Nováky, she was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau with her parents as a small child. Together with her mother, she survived the concentration and extermination camp. After completing her medical studies and obtaining her doctorate in Bratislava, she moved to Munich in 1967, where she worked as a hospital doctor, later as a paediatrician, and continues to work as a psychotherapist to this day. She has been President of the International Auschwitz Committee since 2025. In the same year, she was awarded the Bavarian Constitution Order in recognition of her long-standing commitment.
A joint event organised by the Centre for Holocaust Literature at Justus Liebig University Giessen, the Auschwitz Camp Association – Friends of Auschwitz e. V., the Central Hesse Police Headquarters and the Cultural Office of the University City of Giessen
Event details at a glance:
Eva Umlauf: ‘Genau so fängt es an – Ein Appell’ (This is exactly how it begins – An appeal)
Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe.
112 pages; 20 euros.
Book presentation:
Wednesday, 14 July 2026 – 6 pm
Hermann-Levi-Saal, Giessen Town Hall
Berliner Platz 1
35390 Giessen
Free admission.
For more information about the event, please visit:
www.holocaustliteratur.de.
On social media:
Instagram: @ahl.giessen
Facebook: Arbeitsstelle Holocaustliteratur
Mastodon (Bildung.Social): @AHL
