The girls of room 28

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From 1942 to 1944, twelve thousand children passed through the Theresienstadt internment camp near Prague, with only a few hundred surviving the war. In this poignant narrative, ten of these children—now mothers and grandmothers in their seventies—share their experiences of survival. Aware of the grim fate awaiting them, the Jewish deportees prioritized the survival of the youth, believing they had the best chance. These adolescents were housed in dormitory-like barracks, which offered better access to food and health care, while counselors—young men and women who had been teachers—created a disciplined environment amidst the surrounding horrors. They introduced the children to talented artists, musicians, and playwrights, also en route to Auschwitz, who guided them in producing art, poetry, and music. Notably, they performed Brundibar, a children's opera celebrating the triumph of good over evil. In the mid-1990s, journalist Hannelore Brenner met ten of these survivors, who reunite annually in the Czech Republic. Through interviews, diary excerpts kept during the war, and samples of the art and performances, Brenner presents a unique view of daily life in Theresienstadt, highlighting the extraordinary strength and resilience of the girls and their caretakers that enabled survival.