Resistance

Arduously, the women tried to rebel against the torments of camp life. Writing and reciting poems, praying together, telling stories, and exchanging cooking recipes were some of their favoured activities. With secretly organized materials, some managed to record camp life in drawings. Again and again, the women could gain strength from friendships and small human gestures, also from shared cultural goods, such as songs they knew. Illegal choirs were formed and clandestine artistic performances were organized. Even lectures were held, as well as secretly organized lessons for the younger ones.

For literary scholar and survivor Urszula Wińska, the real significance of cultural activities in the camp was to mobilize forces and instill hope.