Paquita

Paquita

An Interview with a Holocaust Survivor

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Narration: Today I am visiting Paquita in her home. Born in Paris in 1937, she entered the world just as Europe stood on the brink of war. In this interview, she reflects on her family’s escape from Nazi persecution, the difficult years that followed, and the remarkable life they rebuilt after the Holocaust.

Leslie: Thank you for welcoming me into your home.

Paquita: I don’t like people coming empty-handed.

Leslie: Exactly.

Paquita: I have a very small family, but my friends are my wealth.

Leslie: I like that.

Leaving Europe

Paquita: We arrived in Venezuela as a family of four: my parents, my brother, and me. My parents met in Germany and were married there. When Hitler came to power in 1933, they left Germany and settled in France, believing it would be a country of freedom, equality, and fraternity. My godfather, who had been living comfortably in Venezuela, suggested that my father move there as well. My father refused. He believed France was the safest place to raise a family. Unfortunately, history proved otherwise.

The German Occupation

Narration: As the Germans occupied France, antisemitic laws quickly transformed daily life for Jewish families.

Paquita: Everything changed. Little by little, Jews lost their rights. Restrictions multiplied. Fear became part of everyday life. Eventually, it became clear that remaining in France was no longer possible.

Escaping France

Paquita: My family managed to escape. It wasn’t easy. Every border, every document, every decision could determine whether we lived or died. By an extraordinary combination of determination, courage, and luck, we eventually reached Venezuela, where we were finally able to begin rebuilding our lives.

Starting Over

Paquita: Starting over in a new country was not simple. We had to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and rebuild everything from nothing. But Venezuela welcomed us, and slowly we built a new future.