I read this on the BBC website this morning. The article is very well written and brought tears to my eyes, and it sounds like this will be an excellent programme tonight. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/danwalker/2012/05/avram_grants_story_is_an.html Avram Grant comes across as a very thoughtful and emotional person, far different from his TV persona. It is easy to imagine how such a tragic family history would affect you throughout your life. I thought it was interesting that the England team are to go to Auschwitz during the Euros, with Grant offering to show them round.
Exceptional piece of good journalism. I visited Buchenwald concentration camp in the early 60's whilst with the army in Germany and two things remain with me till this day - the absolute silence and the absence of birds. We were just a typical bunch of squaddies - a mixture of national servicemen and regulars - but this sight brought quite a few to the brink of tears and not a word was spoken for some while afterwards and I've never experienced the same empty feeling since that day. Bravo to Avram Grant for allowing the world to enter the privacy of his sadness and not hold ill feeling towards the perpetrators.
We tend to think people like Grant have it made, lots of cash in the bank and a good life but you never know what's going on inside.
What amazes me (and following on from Billy's earlier thread) is how anyone anywhere, but especially in Poland, can think that racism (or any '...ism') can ever be acceptable. Surely Auschwitz and Birkenau are stark reminders of where such intolerance and hate can lead? It horrifies me, it really does, that some people in the 21st century still believe that some humans are actually 'sub-human' because of the colour of their skin, religion, place of birth or some other spurious reason. I too think Avram Grant should be commended for telling his story. But it sounds like he had an exceptional father who refused to let his shocking experiences ruin his life, or that of his family. We can all learn lessons from this.
A very heartwrenching story that was & a good listen. You'd never forget anything like that would you? I cannot comprehend how such a relitively small group of people can attempt to systematically wipe an entire race of people off the face of the earth. With typical German efficiency they kept on coming up with ways to cut the costs. Eight million people dead. Children strangled & killed with rifle buts to save on the gas. WTF? I will endeavor to visit some of these places one day as I really do think it will put my own, rather trivial problems into perspective. Of course, we all know what went on during WW2 but when you really sit & think about it properly you just cannot get your head around it can you? I mean for Christ's sake. How was it ever allowed to happen? I really don't know what emotion I'm feeling atm tbh. Sorrow, anger, love, hatred, pain or maybe just a mixture of them all. I truely believe that visiting these places will be an inspiration in many, many ways.
I know what you mean Billy. I found that really interesting and very emotional. It is impossible to understand and I too feel sad and angry, as well as amazed anyone could survive the way Avram's father did after such terrible experiences. I have read the stories of course and seen films etc. but hearing Avram Grant talk about something so personal to him was really powerful. I got a lump in my throat listening to them describe the masses and masses of human hair cut off after people were gassed, and how the gas chambers and crematoria were just killing machines, designed by human beings to exterminate other human beings at 2000 a time, 24 hours a day. Yet it was uplifting too, because there was no feeling of hate, or desire for revenge, just the desperate need to know what had happened and the resolve that nothing like this should ever be allowed to happen again. The love he felt for his father came through so clearly too, which was wonderful given all his father had endured. I also intend to go to Auschwitz, although it terrifies me how I might feel about it, when I do.
i visited it on a school trip...so so empty and lonely... im glad the england team are going ths year maybe a few of them will learn somthing
I listened to it whilst driving home from work tonight - it was astonishingly powerful and I ended up parked up on the drive listening to the end. I know the England boys are going to Aushwitz before the tournament - I hope they all appreciate what they are seeing.
ALL should be made to visit. It never gets easier no matter how many times you visit to pay respect I can tell you.
thank you...so tragic. i heard some of it, i wish i'd listened to the whole thing now. What a story, though sadly, not uncommon... What lives some people live...unfathomable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01j8lcc/5_live_Sport_Avrams_Journey/ Can listen to it there, starts around 7 mins.
Following on from this thread, here is a link to an article by Henry Winter of the Telegraph about the players visit. Really interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9320837/Euro-2012-England-humbled-by-Auschwitz-pain-and-misery-as-Wayne-Rooney-vows-it-will-never-be-forgotten.html
the players who did visit were apparently visably moved... only 7 players went that is a discrace.... gerrard didnt go and he is the captain... terry you whould think might take the time....welbeck...lampard...parker the players who did go deserve credit because it isnt nice... joe hart and rooney seem to be very mature and rooney has grown up alot i think jack butland is one of the youngest there yet he took the time to pay his respect...
Sorry, I also read a Daily Mirror article that implied only 7 players went (which I thought was a little odd) but when I checked the video in the Telegraph article it seems most of them went, so I have edited my original post! The podcast of the radio programme is available here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/5lspecials 'Avram's Journey' Tuesday, 29 May 12
Hmmm. Maybe the Mirror was right. The second video in the article is of Oscar Schindlers factory, and the other team members were there but not sure when this was taken as Jermain Defoe was there. I know Stephen Gerard has been to Auschwitz before. Roy was definitely at Auschwitz though as he lit a candle with David Bernstein.
