Unit 1012 Cover Photo

Unit 1012 Cover Photo

Thursday, July 2, 2015

THE MEMORIAL TO THE 82 MURDERED CHILDREN OF LIDICE (JULY 2, 1942)



            On this date, July 2, 1942, all of the remaining 81 Lidice children were handed over to the Łódź Gestapo office, who in turn had them transported to the extermination camp at Chełmno 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) away, where they were gassed to death in Magirus gas vans. Out of the 105 Lidice children, 82 died in Chełmno, six died in the German Lebensborn orphanages and 17 returned home.

            Let us have a minute silent and do not forget those children victims of the war. We will also honor the work of the 82 bronze statues of children to remember all murdered children of the world.
           
            Please go to this link to learn more about the mass murder of more than 82 children from Lidice, Czech Republic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidice


A sculpture from the 1990s by Marie Uchytilová stands today overlooking the site of the old village of Lidice. Entitled "The Memorial to the Children Victims of the War" it comprises 82 bronze statues of children (42 girls and 40 boys) aged 1 to 16 to honour the children who were executed at Chełmno in the summer of 1942. A cross with a crown of thorns marks the mass grave of the Lidice men. Overlooking the site is a memorial area flanked by a museum and a small exhibition hall. The memorial area is linked to the new village by an avenue of linden trees. In 1955 a "Rosarium" of 29,000 rose bushes was created beside the avenue of lindens overlooking the site of the old village. In the 1990s the Rosarium was neglected, but after 2001 a new Rosarium with 21,000 bushes was designed and created. Situated 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the museum, in the new village, is an art gallery which displays permanent and temporary exhibitions. The annual children's art competition attracts entries worldwide.


Memorial to the children of Lidice in the park in front of the museum.

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