Auschwitz

As I woke up this morning, I found myself contemplating what to say to Jorrit. Visiting Auschwitz, such an important and historic site, words can sometimes fall short. I often advise, 'Have fun, enjoy, take pictures, and if you come across something fascinating, buy it – we share many interests.' However, for your visit this morning, I feel that words fail to capture the depth of the experience.

This place evokes profound thoughts and reflections. How could such atrocities have ever occurred? The stark industrialization, only 80 years ago, of it all is overwhelming. I recall my own visit to Kamp Westerbork, the dispatch center for Jews to Sobibor and other C-kamps. It left me with tears in my eyes and a deep sense of introspection. The question of 'how did this happen?' echoed in my mind.

Now, as you embark on your visit to Auschwitz, a place of even greater historical significance, the complexity of emotions must be staggering, especially when reflecting on today's tumultuous world. In light of this, the only wish I can offer you is this: may your journey be one of deep understanding and reflection. Let it serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy, tolerance, and the preservation of human dignity in our increasingly complex and chaotic world.