Peggy: The Indomitable, Memorable Voice from Hamburg
Elderly Hamburg-Testifying Advocate, Peggy Parnass, Passes Away at 97 - Ninety-seven-year-old Peggy Parnass, a contemporary witness and activist from Hamburg, has passed away.
Born and bred in charming Hamburg on October 11, 1927, Peggy Parnass began her extraordinary journey amidst the tumultuous backdrop of a Jewish family. Faced with the harsh realities of fascism, her mother sent her and her brother to Sweden in 1939, a decision that undeniably saved their lives. Their parents, sadly, perished in the Warsaw Ghetto at the hands of the Nazis, in the infamous Treblinka extermination camp.
During her time in Sweden, Peggy was placed in a dozen foster homes, separated from her brother, before she moved to London to live with an uncle on the brink of World War II's end. After the war, she found herself drawn back to her hometown of Hamburg and made her home in the district of St. Georg.
Throughout her life, Peggy displayed remarkable resilience and versatility. She delved into teaching languages, critiquing films, and interpreting, among other pursuits. Her prowess as a columnist and author earned her renown, particularly her court reports for the publication "konkret" from 1970 to 1987. During this period, she attended numerous trials, including three against notorious Nazi war criminals.
The passing of Peggy Parnass is deeply lamented by Carola Veit, president of the parliament, who deems it a significant loss. According to Veit, Parnass was an author, a legendary court reporter, an anti-fascist, a Jew, a feminist, a chronicler, and above all, a beacon for remembrance culture, tolerance, and minority rights. Her influence extended far beyond Hamburg.
In the words of Hamburg's first mayor, Peter Tschentscher, Peggy Parnass dedicated her life to the fight against right-wing extremism and discrimination. Tschentscher recognized her as an exceptional citizen of Hamburg and expressed his sorrow at her loss.
- Persistence
- Hamburg
- Parliament
- Brother
- Foster Families
- Sweden
- Warsaw Ghetto
- Nazi War Criminals
- Feminism
- Remembrance Culture
- London
- Anti-Fascism
- SPD
- Minority Rights
With her death at the age of 97, Peggy Parnass, a legendary journalist and activist from Hamburg, has left an indelible mark on remembrance culture and minority rights. In the face of adversity, Peggy and her brother, who also survived the Holocaust, moved between foster families in Sweden before reuniting in London. This resilience, demonstrated early in her life, was a testament to her enduring spirit. Despite her tragically witnessing the extermination of her parents in the Warsaw ghetto, Peggy persisted, using her role as a columnist to shed light on Nazi war criminals and champion anti-fascism. In the Hamburg parliament, her influence was significant, and her fight against right-wing extremism and discrimination was valued by many, including the city's first mayor.
