Ida Benko's Diary from Bergen-Belsen
In this diary, handwritten in Hungarian, Ida records the discrimination she endured in Budapest and her experience in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
In Ida’s words: “I washed and sewed and did anything I could to obtain the paper on which I wrote my thoughts, and did not know at the time that my children and grandchildren would someday read these books… There are now pages missing, but I hope the words contained will be a reminder to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again. After my return to Hungary, I was unable to laugh and any attempt at laughter turned into uncontrollable fits of crying. I married Charles Benko who helped me through this nervous condition which only resolved itself when we came to Australia in 1956.”
When she immigrated to Australia, she brought her two children, two pairs of pyjamas and her diary.
Donated by Ida Benko
M1993/028:002
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