Yiddish play manuscript draws attention to early Holocaust commemoration in Finland

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VOICE

The enemy is renewing its powers more and more. But the Warsaw Ghetto is burning and fighting. With belief in heart and with a flame in gaze Its heroes do not get weaker. They fight endlessly until the battle is over: Am Israel hai! The people of Israel are alive!

ECHOES AND WANDERERS

The people of Israel are alive!

(The call starts with the wanderers, and is taken over by the threefold echoes. First stronger and nearer, then further and weaker and at last even further and weaker until the call gradually disappears.)

(An image of a death camp surrounded by barbed wire appears in the background. One can see people, languished, lying on the ground. Others are digging a grave.)

VOICE

In the forecourt of death we are held. The end is already waiting for us. From the eagle, the black, we can hear the swarming. Time has run out.

WANDERERS

Time has run out.

VOICE

For our prayers let it be day or night The heavens are closed. God has deserted us in our terrible need. Oh! Death is already better.

WANDERERS

Oh! Death is already better.

VOICE

We are digging a grave, deep and wide, Prepared for us ourselves. Oh, grave! Oh, grave! Take us to you! But be quick!

WANDERERS

But be quick!

VOICE

There will be a morning with beauty and glory But for us only with night. No tomorrow is destined for us anymore. Only the dark earth!

WANDERERS

Only the dark earth!

VOICE

Oh, come already, oh, come already! We are ready. You liberator, you death!

WANDERERS

Oh, come already, oh, come already! We are ready. You liberator, you death!

(The image disappears. The heavy steps, sighing and crying can be heard. A new image appears on the background. The image depicts the exterior of a gas chamber. Entrance to the left. A long line of people, old, young and children are moving slowly to the entrance. At the very front of the wanderers stands a woman with a child in her lap.)