Holocaust Survivor Testimony – Joan Salter MBE

The Centre is delighted to announce that Joan Salter MBE will be sharing her testimony on Sunday 26th March. The talk will begin at 1pm. **

Joan Salter was born Fanny Zimetbaum in February 1940, in Belgium. Her parents were Polish Jews and had moved to Brussels from Paris in 1939 as they thought is would be a safer place to live. Joan also had an older half-sister from her mother’s first marriage. Joan has no memories of her parents life in Brussels, but later in life her parents were able to tell her what happened at this time, and this has been supported by Joan’s own research.

In June 1943, Joan’s mother said goodbye to her children and sent them to America, where she knew they would be safe. Joan was only three years old.

After the war, in 1947, Joan’s adoptive parents told her of her true identity and that her parents had survived the war. As seven years old Joan travelled to England to be with her birth parents. She had no memory of them and remembers this as a challenging adjustment.

Joan’s beginning in life and the story of her escape from Europe is a key story of survival and continues to provide resonance today.

Joan Salter’s suitcase is part of our Museum Collection. Why not visit to listen to Joan’s testimony then use your Free Return ticket to attend our creative workshop ‘In My Suitcase’ on Wednesday 12th April. For full details visit our website.

** Please note that this event is included within The National Lottery Open Week, 2 for 1 entry offer. We wish to thank the support of National Lottery players who help fantastic projects and organisations like ours. Show your National Lottery Ticket, physical or digital to take up this offer. This offer is not bookable online – please telephone 01623 836627 to book your seats for this event and pay on the day. #ThanksToYou**