Arnost Lustig, a remarkable individual, was born in Prague in 1926. His early life was marked by significant challenges, as he had only completed seven grades when the Nazi regime prohibited all Jewish children from attending school, effectively disrupting his education.
In 1942, Lustig's life took a drastic turn when he was forcibly sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Two years later, he was transferred to the notorious Auschwitz camp, followed by a stint at Buchenwald. The spring of 1945 brought a dramatic turn of events, as Lustig managed to escape a train bound for Dachau when an American fighter-bomber mistakenly targeted the engine, thinking it was a military transport.
After his daring escape, Lustig made his way back to Prague and played a pivotal role in the anti-Nazi uprising in May 1945. Following the war, he pursued his passion for journalism at Charles University and worked for Radio Prague.
However, the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968 prompted Lustig to leave his homeland. He has been residing in the States United since 1970 and currently serves as a Professor of Literature at the American University in Washington, DC, where he continues to inspire and educate future generations.
