Note to Correspondents

United Nations, Czech Republic, Slovakia to Screen ‘Nicky’s Family’ Documentary

on Rescue of Children before Holocaust 15 March

 

The United Nations Department of Public Information and the Permanent Missions of the Czech Republic and of Slovakia to the United Nations will screen the award-winning documentary film Nicky’s Family on 15 March 2012 at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City.  

“Nicky's Family” tells the almost forgotten story of Sir Nicholas Winton, an Englishman who organized the rescue of 669 children, nearly all Jewish, just before the outbreak of World War II.  After seeing the appalling living conditions in the Czechoslovakian ghettoes, Sir Winton arranged transports to move the children to homes in Great Britain.  Without his courageous actions, these children would have ended up in concentration camps, and most would have died.

Sir Winton never spoke of his heroic deeds.  His brave endeavors would have probably been forgotten if his wife, fifty years later, hadn't found a suitcase in the attic, full of documents and transport plans.  Since the discovery, more than 6,000 of “Nicky’s children” have been located.  Many of these children went on to lead accomplished lives, and the documentary Nicky’s Family poignantly shows how Sir Winton’s heroism has shaped the lives of thousands of people around the world.  The 2011 documentary film was produced by the internationally recognized filmmakers Matej Minac and Patrik Pass and is distributed by Menemsha Films.   

The Bohemian National Hall, a vital centre for Czech culture in New York City, will be the site of the two-hour event that begins at 6 p.m. with opening remarks to be delivered by Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information; Edita Hrdá, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations; and Miloš Koterec, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations.

Following the screening, there will be a reception featuring performances by the famed Slovak jazz musician Ludmila Stefanikova and her band.  To attend, please RSVP to un.newyork@embassy.mzv.cz.

Nicky’s Family highlights the theme “children and the Holocaust”, which the United Nations established for educational activities that will be held throughout 2012.  These events began with the observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January and aim to educate about the plight of children during this tragedy. 

The United Nations Holocaust Outreach Programme produces online and print educational products, and also organizes seminars and events.  For more information about the programme, please visit www.un.org/holocaustremembrance.  

Media may contact Kimberly Mann, Manager of the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, at +1 212 963 6835 or mann@un.org; or Magdalena Kopicova of the Czech Republic Mission to the United Nations, at +1 646 981 4058, magdalena.czechmission@gmail.com.

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For information media • not an official record