Online for Authors Episode 6-19-24

​Surviving the Shadows: A Family Memoir of the Holocaust with Author Vivien Sieber

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Vivien Sieber, author of the book Kino and Kinder: A Family’s Journey in the Shadow of the Holocaust.  Dr Vivien Sieber is a biologist. After ten years of biomedical research, she began lecturing in Genetics before her interests moved into academic development, learning technology and information literacy. She worked at several UK universities and has published around 100 academic papers. She lives in Oxford UK and wrote Kino and Kinder since retirement and is learning to make pottery.

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Today, I want to share with you a deeply moving story of resilience, strength, and the enduring power of family bonds.

In this podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Vivien Sieber, author of the book "Kino and Kinder: A Family's Journey in the Shadow of the Holocaust." This compelling family memoir traces the experiences of Vivien's grandmother, Paula, and her family, from their successful cinema business in Vienna before World War II to their harrowing escape to England and the aftermath of the war.

What struck me most about Vivien's family story was the incredible resilience displayed by her grandmother and the young Jewish girls she cared for in a hostel in England. Despite being torn from their families and facing unimaginable loss, these women found the strength to carry on, rebuild their lives, and create a lasting legacy.

Vivien's meticulous research, including correspondence with the "hostel girls" and her father's unpublished manuscripts, offers a unique perspective on the far-reaching impact of the Holocaust, beyond the concentration camps. It reminds us that the effects of war and oppression ripple through generations, shaping lives in profound ways.

As we navigate our own challenges and uncertainties, stories like these serve as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of preserving and sharing our family histories. They teach us that even in the darkest of times, hope and love can shine through.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode and consider reading "Kino and Kinder." Vivien's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring bonds of family.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you uncovered any remarkable stories in your own family history? Let me know in the comments! 

​You can purchase Kino and Kinder on Amazon: Paperback and ebook. 
​*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.