Happy 93rd Birthday, Mr. Octavian Fulop!

On this day, we celebrate the incredible journey of Mr. Octavian Fulop, one of the few survivors of the Holocaust still living in Romania.
His remarkable life story, unwavering resilience, and enduring commitment to freedom are an inspiration to us all.

Octavian Fulop was sent to a concentration camp at the age of 13 and half, in April 1944, along with his entire family. He was imprisoned in the following concentration camps: Melk, Mauthausen and Gunskirchen (all in Austria), and in the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was liberated by the American army from the Gunskirchen camp.

“One evening, I heard gunshots. The guards fled, and the camp was left unguarded. By morning, the area was liberated by the American troops. Four children, covered in lice, without documents, walked out onto the road. The American army was throwing chocolate and cigarettes. I can’t describe, I have no words to describe what freedom meant. I followed the crowd, not knowing where we were going. Since then, I say that for freedom, anything is worth giving, even life.

I arrived in Romania. I found an aunt. Out of my entire family of 50-60 people, none survived. I survived alone. What did I find at home? From all the wealth, all the prosperity? I found a photo. Of my parents”, Octavian Fulop recounted.

Octavian Fulop’s storytelling power illustrates how narratives can transcendent time and boundaries. His outstanding journey stands as a symbol of hope, continually reminding us of the need to stay vigilant and defend our democratic values!