In the shadows: These are the memories Agnes Hirschi summons when reflecting on the Second World War. For two months, she endured the hardships of being a young girl in a Budapest air raid shelter. As the offspring of Jewish parents, she faced persecution, but against the odds, she survived and now shares her compelling narrative. Girl Diplomat Wartime Hungary

At the age of six, Agnes Hirschi witnessed the Nazis entering her hometown of Budapest. Being both the daughter of Jewish parents and a British citizen, she confronted the dual threat of deportation and murder. Out of the more than 740,000 Hungarian Jews, only 120,000 emerged from the Holocaust alive.

Agnes Hirschi stands among them, one of the last Holocaust survivors in Switzerland. Similar to tens of thousands of others, her survival can be attributed to the efforts of Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz. Serving as vice consul in Budapest during that time, Lutz championed the cause of Jews by issuing “protective letters,” surpassing the authorized quota by a significant margin.

The tale of Agnes Hirschi and Carl Lutz unfolds against the backdrop of the greatest crime in history. Yet, it is also a narrative woven with threads of love: post-war, Lutz and Hirschi’s mother, Magda, wed, solidifying Lutz’s role as the stepfather to young Agnes. At the age of 85, Hirschi persists in her quest for the recognition she believes Carl Lutz rightfully deserves. Girl Diplomat Wartime Hungary

During a discussion with Urs Gredig, Agnes Hirschi discusses her recollections of persecution, her dedication to combating collective memory lapses. And her perspectives on the conflict in the Middle East and the increasing occurrences of global anti-Semitism.

Visit the Carl Lutz Society to learn more about the life and work of a remarkable, righteous man.

Dear Agnes, your interview was truly remarkable. Every time I hear you speak, I gain new insights, despite our longstanding acquaintance. Your archives of knowledge are extensive, and undoubtedly, Carl Lutz would take pride in your efforts to bring recognition to his name and actions on a global scale. Well done, dear Agnes. Warm regards, Tom

Get together with Agnes Hirschi
Escaping the Holocaust in Budapest

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