Auschwitz-Birkenau
By Photo Notes
25 Oct 2009
Departed by Krakow, and crossing the frozen countries of Staszow, I reached after a few times the National Museum of Oswiecim.
During the trip, I started to breathe a different air, perhaps because I knew that to visit Auschwitz would have been for me an experience that would have marked my soul.
I succeed in clearly seeing in my mind that places.
The trip reached the terminal.
Close to me a group of young Hebrews, damped the atmosphere with some forced smiles and they was impatient to cross the gate.
I tried to think and to imagine what they could try in to go to visit that place where so many as them were slaughtered by the Nazi.
I don't believe to have succeeded there, perhaps because even I knew what I tried from Italian, knowing the Italian laws on the race, promulgated by Benito Mussolini accomplice
of Adolf Hitler, both of the authentic criminals.
It is almost impossible to describe the strange feelings that cross you while you are being inside: the winter atmosphere, the dark buildings and the tall trees didn't do what this impression of mine to accent.
The photos of the deported inside the huts. All were completely turned into skeletons formed by skin and bones. They aroused a deep anguish. And to think that, before the imprisonment in, people had been with their life and their hopes and that after a few weeks in field they have become unrecognizable in the aspect. Also the babies' suits, dirty and small, they arouse a deep emotion. I have tried an irresistible sense of dismay in front of the presence of that place and the dark atmosphere that is evoked.
The memory is important to understand the possible consequences of a politics that it doesn't set as importance the respect of the human dignity and in according to place for the dramatic actuality that interests our planet, upset by wars and political regimes that daily set in discussion the human dignity.
writing and photo: Photonotes
9 responses
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Brian Betteridge gave props (25 Oct 2009):
excellent series of photos and a well-written piece. voted!
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Lisa Toboz Schreckengost said (25 Oct 2009):
these photos are haunting and beautiful. would love to see these in print.
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Brian Grossman said (26 Oct 2009):
a wonderfully moving photo essay. well done.
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Debra Kuzbik said (29 Oct 2009):
Your images and words are very powerful, Cesare. Thank you for helping us never forget. Your essay should be published.
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reza vaezpour gave props (31 Oct 2009):
Great. I like it.
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David Smith said (4 Nov 2009):
These photos remind us that we should never forget our past. We must learn from it. The weather really adds to the somber mood. Your words are equally powerful as your pictures. Extremely well done!
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Antoni Benavente said (4 Nov 2009):
Deep and interesting photographic work. Of course to be published. Congratulations Cesar!
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Camil Seisanu gave props (6 Nov 2009):
an awesome story with exqusite photos. I've always wanted to go to Auschwitz.
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diana anderson gave props (7 Nov 2009):
wonderfully emotional essay!
