John Kunz, a Holocaust survivor who was born in a Nazi slave labor concentration camp during World War II before growing up in Great Falls, will give a talk titled “Journey to Freedom” on April 24 at Great Falls College.
Kunz’s talk, from 7-9 p.m. on campus in Heritage Hall, will tell the remarkable story of survival as well as the flight of Kunz’s Polish family to the United States.
“We are tremendously excited to have John share his powerful story with our community from the Great Falls College campus,” said Dr. Amy Pearson , a communications instructor at Great Falls College.
The event is free and open to the public, and it will include a Q&A at the end of Kunz’s presentation.
At the end of the war, Kunz, his parents and his siblings immigrated to the United States and made their home in Great Falls. He also will bring his perspective on modern day Poland. Kunz has twice returned to his native Poland and also will share stories and photos of the changes since the fall of communism in the early 1900s.
“It’s important to retain our understanding of the past from the people who have experienced it,” said Matthew Hill, a history instructor at the college.
The evening also will feature “The Courage to Remember” exhibit. Produced by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, this powerful exhibit includes 40 original posters depicting the horrors of the Holocaust and the courage and resilience of its victims.
The exhibit was discovered in the basement of the Times Square building in downtown Great Falls and will be displayed in conjunction with John’s talk. Permission to share the exhibit was generously granted by Bruce Barrett, a Missoula attorney who previously hosted the collection.
