# Petr Ginz

> Czech victim of Holocaust (1928–1944)

**Wikidata**: [Q445513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q445513)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petr_Ginz)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/petr-ginz

## Summary
Petr Ginz was a Czech victim of the Holocaust who lived from 1928 to 1944. He was a talented writer, artist, and editor who created significant cultural works while imprisoned in the Theresienstadt ghetto. His diary and artwork have become important historical documents that provide insight into the experiences of Jewish children during World War II.

## Biography
- Born: February 1, 1928
- Nationality: Czech
- Education: Attended schools in Prague before deportation
- Known for: Writing, artwork, editing the magazine Vedem while in Theresienstadt
- Employer(s): None (child victim of Holocaust)
- Field(s): Literature, art, journalism

## Contributions
Petr Ginz created numerous drawings and paintings while in Theresienstadt, many of which survived the war and are now preserved in museums. He served as editor-in-chief of Vedem (We Lead), an underground magazine written by boys in Barracks L417 that circulated between 1942-1944. His diary, which he kept from 1941-1942, documents his experiences and thoughts during the early years of the Nazi occupation. He also wrote short stories, essays, and poetry that demonstrated remarkable literary talent for his age.

## FAQs
What is Petr Ginz most famous for?
Petr Ginz is most famous for his diary and artwork created while imprisoned in Theresienstadt, which provide a unique child's perspective on the Holocaust.

How did Petr Ginz die?
Petr Ginz was murdered in the Auschwitz concentration camp on September 29, 1944, at the age of 16.

What was Vedem magazine?
Vedem was an underground magazine written and edited by boys in Theresienstadt's Barracks L417, with Petr Ginz serving as its editor-in-chief from 1942-1944.

## Why They Matter
Petr Ginz matters because his creative works offer an intimate, personal view of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child prodigy. His artistic and literary talents, developed under the most horrific circumstances, demonstrate the resilience of human creativity and spirit. His diary and artwork have become essential historical documents that help educate future generations about the Holocaust's impact on children and the importance of preserving cultural expression even in the face of oppression.

## Notable For
- Editing Vedem magazine at age 14-15
- Creating over 100 drawings and paintings while in Theresienstadt
- Writing a detailed diary from 1941-1942
- Demonstrating exceptional literary and artistic talent as a teenager
- His story inspired the 2011 animated film "The Last Flight of Petr Ginz"
- Asteroid 50413 Petrginz was named in his honor

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Petr Ginz was born on February 1, 1928, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. He grew up in Prague's Jewish community and attended local schools where he demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities. By age 14, he spoke Czech, German, and Esperanto fluently and was learning English and Hebrew.

### Cultural Activities in Theresienstadt
In 1942, at age 14, Ginz was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Despite the harsh conditions, he became deeply involved in the cultural life of the ghetto. He served as editor-in-chief of Vedem, a secret magazine produced by boys in Barracks L417 that featured essays, poems, interviews, and artwork. The magazine circulated weekly among the boys and represented one of the most remarkable examples of teenage resistance through cultural expression during the Holocaust.

### Artistic Works
While imprisoned in Theresienstadt, Ginz created over 100 drawings and paintings that survived the war. His artwork ranged from realistic depictions of ghetto life to imaginative scenes inspired by science fiction and adventure stories. One of his most famous drawings, "Moon Landscape," depicts the lunar surface and was later carried into space by Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon on the Columbia space shuttle mission in 2003.

### Literary Works
Ginz's diary, written between 1941-1942, provides a detailed account of his life during the early years of Nazi occupation. The diary reveals his intellectual curiosity, literary ambitions, and the gradual erosion of his childhood as he faced increasing persecution. He also wrote numerous short stories, including "The Rambouskys' Travel to the Stars," which demonstrated his fascination with science fiction and adventure narratives.

### Legacy and Recognition
After the war, Ginz's surviving works were preserved by former Vedem contributors who had survived. His sister, Chava Pressburger, later edited and published his diary and artwork. In 2003, an asteroid was named 50413 Petrginz in his honor. His story has been featured in numerous exhibitions, documentaries, and the animated film "The Last Flight of Petr Ginz" (2011), ensuring that his creative legacy continues to educate new generations about the Holocaust.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. [The Database of Victims of the Nazi Persecution](https://www.holocaust.cz/databaze-obeti/obet/88538-petr-ginz/)
7. Database of the Terezín Memorial
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. CONOR.SI
10. RKDartists
11. The Database of Victims of the Nazi Persecution
12. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands