2017 March in the Footsteps of Heroes 

Dear friends,

We invite you to join us for a memorial walk dedicated to Rudolf Vrba and Alfréd Wetzler who risked their lives to try to save Hungarian Jews from certain death.

Their escape from Auschwitz and the Report they compiled in Žilina is a significant moment in the history of the Holocaust.  And not only that.  The Euro-Atlantic civilization is facing new challenges and it is quite relevant today to ponder the meaning of heroism in the face of hatred and prejudice.

The Vrba Wetzler Memorial is a joint endeavor of a wide community of active citizens, based on a vision by Fedor Gál.  

It is an attempt to cultivate the spirit of community among people who share a concern for sustainable future. Our primary motivation is action: people who have not abandoned their thinking and feelings and want to be more than just passive witnesses are going to walk one hundred and thirty kilometers in the footsteps of Vrba and Wetzler from Auschwitz to Žilina. A week of physical effort, joint discussions and lonely meditation, concluded in Žilina by a festive meeting in a synagogue, is a strong and motivating experience for every participant.

The first three years have proved that the idea is feasible and the participation rewarding. Those who have done it make the best reference. It is our vision to support anyone who would like to walk the route, or its part, by providing useful information.

The main event in 2017 will again take place during the summer months and will consist of a package complete with accommodation, guided walk and accompanying services. Since the accommodation capacity is limited and the number of participants has been growing, we have decided to offer two identical walks on two different dates. Based on the number of registered participants, we will decide if both will be carried out. The route, the program, the team and the services will be identical for both walks.

Option one: 2–8 July 2017
Option two: 6–12 August 2017

The 130 km route is divided into four walking days with one day of rest in Węgierska Górka.  Those who are interested may register for an optional full-day visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.  On the last day of the march, the participants will take a train for part of the journey.  The program concludes with an evening in the Neolog Synagogue in Žilina.

Information about the program, accommodation and conditions for participants here to download

As of 1 January 2017, the capacity of the August walk (6-12 Aug) has been filled in the B accommodation option (mountain cabins). Those who wish to participate in August can still register for the hotel (A) or tent (C) accommodation options.

We continue accepting applications for the July date (2-8 Jul) in all options.