Agi D.
Child Survivor
Background Info And Her Journey
Belgrade
The environment of Belgrade, Yugoslavia in the 1940's presented an oppressive state for the capital's citizens. During this period, the city had experienced fast growth in its population, increasing from 239,000 to 320,000 by 1940. In addition, Belgrade had attempted to stay neutral during WWII, however, was followed with protest and various military conflicts.
In the summer and fall of 1941, the Germans had carried out several massacres of Belgrade citizens; in particular, members of the Jewish community subjected to mass shootings.
Agi's mother tried on numerous occasions to find help in escaping the country to avoid the troubles and keep her family sage. After failed attempts in receiving help, the family was finally able to leave on foot, walking many miles north toward Hungary. The family faced the dangers in bombing around the area and had eventually found refuge in Jewish village for a few nights.
Although encouraged to stay in the village, Agi’s mother insisted on leaving. Those who stayed in the village were eventually murdered.
Budapest
1944 Budapest
The Decision to Leave Budapest
The family ended up in Budapest, Hungary, where Agi’s maternal grandmother lived. At the time, Jews were protected by the Prime Minister of Hungary until 1944. Due to the hatred and prejudice against Serbians in Hungary, Agri's father (being Serbian) had to leave Budapest after their family was called into questioning, followed by a tense confrontation that reinforced the decision on leaving.
"One of Agi’s first memories is, at the age of two, her tearful parting from her father when he left to hide in the countryside."
Living in Convents to Different Families
Nazi presence in Hungary became much more dangerous in 1944. Agi, her mother, and her sister were forced to go into hiding. The family had found a priest by the name of Kalmain, and convinced him to house them in at his convent. The convent was already full hiding Jewish women from concentration camps.
Agi was separated from her mother during that time, staying in the children's ward of the convent before moving in with her family in the priest's apartment for 6 weeks. During those weeks in the apartment, Agi's family had to live in the safety of his bathroom in order to not be discovered. In that same year, the now 4 year-old Agi had been relocated to live with different families for her own safety, briefly reuniting with her mother on one occasion. In one instance, Agi was placed with a different family without children, often lonely and discouraged from speaking with others.
