Być ojcem dziś i za drutami obozu koncentracyjnego. Refleksje po lekturze Bajek z Auschwitz

The story of fathers who were imprisoned behind the barbed wire of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp is an example of paternity understood as an attitude of love and responsibility towards children. These fathers-prisoners of the camp were deprived of an ability to look after their own children, so they considered that writing fairy tales for their daughters and sons will be the proof of memory of their children but also an attempt to get closer to them through words. It is something that seems unrealistic in conditions which can be called hell on earth. Nevertheless, this idea has become a reality and so fairy tales, with colorful illustrations and texts written in meticulous calligraphy, were composed. Their authors were Polish prisoners, who worked slavishly for the SS offices where plans for the further expansion of the camp were made. Owing to this office work prisoners had access to paint, carbon paper and copying devices. Those fairy tales are a testimony to paternal love and hopes for a better world. They do not lack of educational messages or awareness of dangers and threats which life can bring.