Peter Fischl

Author / Holocaust Survivor

Background: 

Peter Fischl was one of the hidden children of the Holocaust.  As a child in Hungary, he escaped internment in a concentration camp by hiding in the cellar of a church with sixty other boys.  His mother and sister survived by hiding in a convent.  His father perished at the hands of the Nazis after managing to get out one last phone call to his son. 

In the 1960s, Peter saw a photograph in Life Magazine that stunned him, bringing back gut-wrenching memories of his past.  The photo was of a little Polish boy with his hands over his head as Nazi soldiers pointed guns at him.  Unable to get the image out of his head, Peter wrote a poem to the little boy (who he was certain had not survived).  The title is “To the Little Polish Boy Standing with His Arms Up.” 

To read the poem, visit  www.holocaust-trc.org/FischlPoem.htm. A lesson plan is included.   To purchase copies of the poem, e-mail peterfischl@verizon.net or rdfrdf@cox.net.

Quote from Steven Spielberg on June, 30, 1995: "Life's picture of the little Polish boy with his arms up is an indelible image -- it's one I've never forgotten, because in a moment it speaks volumes about what happened in the Holocaust."

Main Focus:

“The most important thing is I want to help people start to think and to educate themselves and to love each other so no one ever has to go through what that little Polish boy went through.”  Peter Fischl

Offerings:

Peter speaks to fifth graders on up about his experiences during the Holocaust.  He reads his very famous poem, and the students are inspired to write their own poetry.   

Published Writings:

Poem – “To the Little Polish Boy Standing with His Arms Up.”    

Autobiography – “And The World Who Said Nothing.”

Stamp of the Little Polish Boy - The authentic Postal stamps can be purchased from Peter Fischl and collected or used as a stamp.  This stamp spreads the message that it is important to not be prejudice and to love your fellow man.

Availability:

Peter speaks to students throughout the United States.

Fee:

Negotiable.