In an inspiring revival, a historic yet rundown industrial site in the Czech Republic is being restored. Once the setting for German businessman Oskar Schindler’s remarkable act of courage, where he saved 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II, the former textile factory in Brn?nec is now welcoming visitors as the newly inaugurated Museum of Survivors. Located about 160 kilometers east of Prague, the site was originally taken from its Jewish owners in 1938, repurposed by the Nazis into a concentration camp. The museum’s opening aligns with the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, a time when Schindler was honored by grateful survivors with a golden ring made from their own dental gold. Inscribing the Hebrew phrase “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire” from the Talmud, the ring epitomizes his monumental impact.
Oskar Schindler’s legacy became internationally recognized through Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film, “Schindler’s List.” The museum project has been significantly driven by Daniel Löw-Beer, whose family once owned the Brn?nec factory. The Löw-Beer family’s history in the region spans back to 1854 when they transformed the factory into a vital part of Europe’s wool production. Reflecting on the loss and displacement the family endured, Löw-Beer sees the museum as a way to restore and remember their past and highlight the heroics of Schindler. “We had to flee for our lives, lost some of our history, so putting back a bit of that legacy means a lot,” Löw-Beer expressed, noting the emotional connection for his scattered family.
The museum, housed in a partially renovated spinning mill, offers a profound narrative of Schindler, his wife Emilie, the Löw-Beer family, and Holocaust survivors connected to the site. It features spaces for exhibitions, lectures, movie screenings, concerts, and a café, encapsulated by a striking glass wall that juxtaposes restored areas with those still in ruin. “It’s a universal place of survivors,” Löw-Beer explains. “We aim to let these stories live on, encouraging visitors to form their own understanding.”
Driven by the initiative of the Arks Foundation, established by Löw-Beer in 2019, efforts to rejuvenate the site with the local community’s help have been ongoing. The regional government and a European Union grant further supported the project, bringing international youth together to design the museum. The museum’s partial opening signifies just the beginning, with numerous buildings awaiting full restoration. Plans include transforming Schindler’s former office into an information center and redeveloping the barracks and living quarters where Jewish prisoners once stayed.
Visitation is currently limited, focusing on educational activities for schools. Despite past failed restoration attempts due to funding shortages, the Arks Foundation’s incremental approach and growing local support have fueled progress. “Skepticism once prevailed, but seeing real action encouraged many to contribute,” says Milan Šudoma from the foundation. “We showed that action begets results.” An inspirational quote from Rena Finder, a Jewish survivor, reverberates within the museum: “Oskar and Emilie Schindler are proof that a single individual can make a difference.”
Remembered as a man of paradoxes, Schindler was born in Svitavy, within the then-German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland. Though labeled as a Nazi, womanizer, and a spy, Schindler defied labels by safeguarding people during the Holocaust. His shift from Svitavy to Krakow during the war led to the establishment of an enamel and ammunition factory where Jewish workers experienced humane conditions. As World War II neared its close and the Red Army advanced in 1944, Schindler secured permission to relocate his Jewish workforce back to Brn?nec, safeguarding them from Nazi atrocities.
Through unwavering courage, he orchestrated the rescue of 300 women diverted to Auschwitz and 100 Jewish men trapped in sealed cattle wagons. Acknowledging their bravery, Yad Vashem posthumously honored Oskar and Emilie Schindler as Righteous Among the Nations in 1993. Their monumental contributions continue to inspire action against adversity and demonstrate the profound difference one can make amidst darkness.