Photo : Evelyn-Askolovitch ©Nissim Sellam -Mémorial de la Shoah.
Testimony of Evelyn Askolovitch
Evelyn Askolovitch was born Sulzbach in 1938 in the Netherlands, into a German-Jewish family.
Mémorial de la Shoah de Drancy
About
Evelyn and her parents were arrested following a denunciation by their neighbors in 1943. The family was first held in an Amsterdam theater, "a bit like Drancy: it was a theater where all the Jews passed through before being transported to the camps."
She was liberated from the Bergen-Belsen camp by the Red Cross in January 1945, during a prisoner exchange.
In 2023, aware of belonging to the very last generation of witnesses, she co-authored with her son, Claude Askolovitch, Se souvenir ensemble (Éditions Grasset).
Our take on this event
History breathes through the powerful testimony of a survivor sharing her family's struggle against the shadows of the past. This rare encounter offers a deeply moving look at resilience and the importance of passing the torch to the next generation.
The Mémorial de la Shoah in Drancy hosts a significant testimony session on Sunday, November 1, 2026, featuring Evelyn Askolovitch. Arrested in 1943 and later liberated from the Bergen-Belsen camp by the Red Cross in 1945, Evelyn shares her firsthand experience alongside her son, Claude Askolovitch. Together, they discuss their co-authored book, Se souvenir ensemble, which serves as a vital bridge of memory for the younger generation. This event is open to attendees aged 12 and older and is fully wheelchair accessible. While admission is free, booking in advance is mandatory to secure your place.
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Mémorial de la Shoah de Drancy at 110-112 avenue Jean-Jaurès invites you to a session dedicated to the life and memories of Evelyn Askolovitch. The program runs from 16:00 to 18:00, during which Evelyn will recount her family’s arrest in 1943, their time in an Amsterdam theater, and her subsequent deportation and liberation from the Bergen-Belsen camp in January 1945.
Following the publication of their book Se souvenir ensemble with Éditions Grasset, Evelyn and her son, Claude Askolovitch, will explore the importance of keeping these historical accounts alive. This discussion offers a unique perspective from one of the last remaining witnesses of the era. The event is suitable for guests aged 12 and up, and the facility is equipped to welcome visitors in wheelchairs. Attendance is free of charge, though a prior reservation is required to participate.
