Held in the elegant Denton surroundings, tickets for the sold-out event included copies of Finkelstein’s memoir, Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad, the story of Finkelstein’s parents' survival during the Holocaust.
The event was introduced by Elysian Residences CEO Gavin Stein, who explained that he was motivated to set up retirement communities such as The Denton because of his grandfather’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor. “It’s part of giving back to a generation of older people,” Stein explained.
Daniel Finkelstein was interviewed on stage by Mark Jackson-Hancock, book expert for The Hospice of St Francis. Finkelstein discussed everything from how he researched his family’s stories to his mum’s experiences in a concentration camp. “My parents had a positive outlook,” Finkelstein said. “Some people can go through their experiences and see Hitler and Stalin in everything, but [my parents] were lovely, optimistic people. They wanted us to live and not just survive.”
Among the audience members was Holocaust survivor Elisabeth Mann, who escaped Nazi-occupied Vienna as a baby, and travelled all the way from Banbury to hear Finkelstein’s talk. Audience questions ranged from the political to the personal. Finkelstein explained that his parents’ experiences had given him a sense of perspective which led him to aim for moderation and civility in the House of Lords.
Finkelstein signed copies of his book in the beautiful library at The Denton, which was curated by Chapter Two - The Hospice of St Francis’s community bookshop in Chesham
Audience member Phil Lees commented, “I love family history, and this is a fantastic one. It’s so great to see [Finkelstein] here tonight.”
With all profits from the event going towards local free hospice care, The Hospice of St Francis looks forward to hosting more cultural events in partnership with The Denton to benefit the local community.
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