Jonathan Freedland’s lecture will delve into the harrowing story of Rudolf Vrba, one of the few Jewish prisoners to escape from Auschwitz and his attempt to alert the world to the horros there. Through Vrba's extraordinary life, Freedland will examine the urgent modern relevance of truth, memory, and the dangers of forgetting history.
Ahead of the lecture, we spoke with Jonathan Freedland about his motivations for writing The Escape Artist and the lessons he hopes it conveys.
What motivated you to write The Escape Artist and engage more broadly with Holocaust history in your writing?
"What prompted me to write The Escape Artist when I did was, in part, the increasing sense that we were slipping into a post-truth world. Rudolf Vrba understood that the difference between truth and lies can be the difference between life and death. And in the post-truth era after 2016, it seemed more important than ever to tell the story of a man who saw that danger in the most direct way imaginable."
What impact do you hope the book and the Memorial Lecture will have on readers and attendees?
"I hope readers come away from this book committed not only to remembering the Holocaust and fighting the menace of antisemitism but also with an understanding of just how easy it is for a society to drift away from the norms and values that underpin democracy - and to slide into the abyss."
How do you think the lessons of Rudolf Vrba’s life can help us confront modern challenges?
"The lesson of Rudolf Vrba’s extraordinary life is that the facts alone are insufficient: people also have to believe those facts – and that is a much harder task. Campaigners and activists must recognize that convincing others requires more than just data."
Join us for this thought-provoking lecture as we reflect on the enduring power of truth in a time of uncertainty. The event is free – please register to attend in person or online.
Event Details
Date: 28 January 2025
Time: 17:30 - 19:00 (GMT)
Place: The Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford & online
For registration and more information, click here.
About the Lecturer:
Jonathan Freedland is an award-winning journalist and columnist for The Guardian. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Sam Bourne. Freedland's acclaimed book The Escape Artist brings to light Rudolf Vrba’s extraordinary story, combining meticulous historical research with powerful storytelling. Freedland is deeply engaged in exploring themes of truth, justice, and the enduring impact of Holocaust history.
About the Alfred Landecker Memorial Lecture
Launched on the International Day in Memory of the Victims of National Socialism (January 27, 2020), the Landecker-funded academic program at Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University is investigating the persecution and protection of minorities in Europe, exploring in particular the values and institutions that underpin democratic society. The Alfred Landecker Memorial Lecture, an integral part of the program, is an annual event held each year to coincide with the International Day in Memory of the Victims of National Socialism. More information here.