Thursday 22 January, 7 to 9pm
Mala Tribich was born in 1930 in Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland. When the Nazis invaded in 1939, her family was forced into the first ghetto established in Poland. As a child, Mala endured unimaginable hardship. She was imprisoned in Ravensbrück and eventually sent to Bergen-Belsen, where she survived appalling conditions. Mala and her brother, Ben Helfgott, were the only members of their immediate family to survive the Holocaust.
In 1947, Mala moved to the United Kingdom, where she rebuilt her life, trained as a secretary, and married Maurice Tribich. She became a mother and grandmother but never forgot the horrors she endured. Determined to ensure future generations learn from history, she dedicated herself to Holocaust education, speaking in schools, universities, and public forums. Her testimony has inspired thousands, emphasising resilience and remembrance. In recognition of her tireless work, she was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to education.