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Eva and Raymond - Educating the World

Auschwitz survivor Eva and musician Raymond bonded over a shared desire to spread peace

Eva was born in Romania, but spent her formative years as a prisoner in Auschwitz during World War II. She and her twin sister Miriam were subjected to experiments by Josef Mengele. Eva lost her two older sisters and both parents in the Holocaust and only she and Miriam survived. The experience made her want to share her story to ensure that this never happens again. She founded the organization CANDLES (an acronym for "Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors") in 1984, and through this, she has located 122 other survivors of Mengele. Raymond is a musician, born and brought up in Glasgow. He's a member of the band Ocean Colour Scene, and he also writes a lot of his own music. He became consumed by the idea of creating a project related to Auschwitz after visiting as a tourist.The experience wouldn't leave him. Over the next 18-months, he returned five times to try to better understand what had had happened there. The experiences turned into songs and poetry, and eventually a documentary film called 'The Railway People', of which Eva is part. Raymond contacted Eva and she welcomed his interest. She recorded his poem 'How Could It Be' on the selection platform at Auschwitz where she last saw her family. The two now share a deep friendship, with Raymond determined to do whatever he can to support Eva's message of peace.

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4 minutes

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