Stories of Suitcases: Young Girls from Auschwitz to Canada

Authors

  • Anna Pia De Luca Università degli Studi di Udine

Keywords:

The Old Brown Suitcase, Warsaw and Hana’s Suitcase, racism, identity, diaspora

Abstract

The Old Brown Suitcase by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz, who survived the Holocaust in Warsaw and Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine, have moved the world for the simplicity yet intensity with which they describe this devastating moment in the history of the Jews. These are books which can teach children about the horrific events but they can also offer alternative readings on issues of racism, identity and diaspora. By learning of the cultures, traditions and languages of others, children are encouraged to be observant, receptive and more open-minded, a first step in eradicating stereotypical prejudices and intolerance towards those considered ‘diverse’.

Storie di valigie: bambine da Auschwitz al Canada
The Old Brown Suitcase di Lillian Boraks-Nemetz, sopravvissuta all'Olocausto di Varsavia e Hana's Suitcase di Karen Levine, hanno commosso il mondo per la semplicità e l'intensità con cui descrivono questo momento devastante della storia degli ebrei. Questi sono libri che possono insegnare ai bambini gli eventi orribili, ma possono anche offrire letture alternative su questioni di razzismo, identità e diaspora. Imparando le culture, le tradizioni e le lingue degli altri, i bambini sono incoraggiati ad essere attenti, ricettivi e di mentalità più aperta; un primo passo per sradicare pregiudizi stereotipati e intolleranza verso coloro che sono considerati ‘diversi’.

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Published

2022-01-19

How to Cite

De Luca, A. P. (2022). Stories of Suitcases: Young Girls from Auschwitz to Canada. Oltreoceano - Rivista Sulle Migrazioni, (6), 19–28. Retrieved from https://riviste.lineaedizioni.it/index.php/oltreoceano/article/view/266