Pavol Hudak and his son Peter both have a passionate interest in the history of the Jews of Bardejov and their fate. They have conducted research and created several public educational presentations on the subject. Peter is currently doing graduate work on the history of the Jews of Bardejov. We recently interviewed them about their interests in Bardejov’s Jewish heritage.
Pavol, please tell us about your background and how you became interested in Bardejov’s Jewish history.
I was born in Presov in 1957 and grew up there. Prešov is the third-largest city in the country and it is the seat of the administrative Prešov Region. In 1982 I completed my university studies in Košice and a year later moved to Bardejov where I still live today.I was curious about Peter’s research about the fate of Jews from Bardejov. How it is possible that people forgot a community which was here for about three hundred years? How to did we come to allow the expulsion of thousands of people from the country? Why weren‘t we interested in what happened to them? Why weren‘t we interested in those who survived? I wanted to find out the truth. Who was responsible for this? How can someone have so much hate? When I had the opportunity to learn about a few survivors I realized that behind each numbers is the tragic destiny of man. I recognized that we must speak and write. We must not allow such a thing to be repeated.
Peter, please tell us about your background and how you became interested in the Jews and Jewish history of Bardejov.
I was born in 1985 in Bardejov where I grew up and still live. During my childhood I used to walk around the Jewish Suburbia and every time I was in this place I experienced difficult emotions. First it was only a vague feeling and I did not know what it was. Later, I began to ask myself questions. Who were the Jews of Bardejov? Where are they? What happened to them? As someone who loves history I gradually discovered what a strong, independent and interesting Jewish community once lived here. I was astonished and horrified at the same time. How is it possible that we have forgotten about so many people? I began to study about these issues. During the last three years I have met or contacted many good people who, despite not knowing us, opened their hearts and minds to me and my father. They wanted us to know about their pasts. Their interest and cooperation confirmed to my father and me the value of our work. The motivation comes as well from my parents who supported me and taught me from childhood to honor truth and justice.
Peter, where are you studying and what are your academic goals?
I am in my final year of study in the field of history at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (250 miles from Bardejov). I am conducting long-term historical research on the history of Bardejov´s Jewish community and focusing on the 20th century. I have written some studies and articles and am planning on writing a book on this subject.
Describe your plans to educate the people of Slovakia about Bardejov’s Jewish heritage.
Our goal is to present the Jewish past of our town as an important part of Bardejov‘s history. We try to educate and make people sufficiently informed. We write articles about Jewish history in local newspapers and also collaborate with local television and radio stations regarding the presentation of regional Jewish history and culture. At the present time, our main effort is the organization of events (i.e. The European Day of Jewish Culture and The Memorial Day of Rudolf Lowy.) These events attract the attention of residents. As you know, awareness is based on education. In addition to the work that we do, we will strive to teach children in schools and create a textbook about the Jews of Bardejov. Equally important is gathering personal accounts, especially video testimonies. We believe that these materials will be used in the creation of memorial sites in the Jewish community.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
If we want to erect a special monument, we need to educate the public as to who the Jews of Bardejov were. It is important to show the points in our history when there was normal and kindly relationships. That is the reason why we are looking at the period of prewar Czechoslovakia. Only after we have created an understanding of the history of Jewish life in Bardejov can discuss the Shoah. We are collecting any historical documents, photographs and other materials, that could shed light on Bardejov’s Jewish community. Every memory of a survivor, older person (or information from their families) is as valuable as gold. These memories can be about everyday lives, school, friends, the town of Bardejov or the Shoah. Because our work is like putting together a puzzle, it is necessary to have all the fragments. We are grateful for any advice or information. Please contact us anytime.
Name: Pavol Hudák, Ing.
Address: Sázavského 15
085 01 Bardejov
Slovakia
EUROPE
Cell. Number: 00 421 905 346 791
Phone Number/ Fax: 00 421 54 474 8098
E-mail: pavolhudak@yahoo.com
Name: Peter Hudák, Bc.
Address: Sázavského 15
085 Bardejov
Slovakia
EUROPE
Cell. Number: 00 421 908 841 027
E-mail: petohudak@yahoo.com
