Laya's Way Home - part 2

The History Listen

Laya Semler was the last Jew sent to a concentration camp from Wennigsen, Germany, in 1945. Her non-Jewish husband Adolf was sent to slave labour for not denouncing her. Both survived. Now, Wennigsen has invited their Australian family back, to commemorate Laya and Adolf’s incredible story of courage and love. In Part 1, their great-grandchildren discovered a town perhaps finally ready to accept the extent of its role in the Nazi regime. In Part 2, they will experience that history face-to-face.

They experience that history face-to-face -- when they visit the slave labour camp, only recently unearthed, where Adolf was held. And where they must reckon with horrors that will shock even the German historians guiding them.

Michaela Kalowski, Joanna's husband John Hempton, Joanna Kalowski and Rick Kalowski

Guests:

• Joanna Kalowski - internationally recognised mediator and granddaughter of Laya and Adolf Semler
• Michael Wittich - historian for the town of Wennigsen
• Christina Muller - city councillor in Wennigsen
• Jutta Henza - historian of the Stolen Gustav slave labour camp

Credits:

Writers: Rick Kalowski and Michaela Kalowski

Presenters: Michaela Kalowski and Rick Kalowski

Producer: Claudia Taranto

Sound Engineer: Hamish Camilleri

Research assistance : Tadhg Kalowski