Izieu facts for kids
Izieu is a small town in France. It is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is part of the Ain department. You can find Izieu in the eastern part of France, right on the Rhône River. It's situated between the bigger cities of Lyon and Chambéry.
Izieu is a quiet place, but it holds a very important and sad story from World War II.
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What is a Commune?
A commune is the smallest type of administrative area in France. Think of it like a local town or village council. Each commune has its own mayor and local government. They manage things like local schools, roads, and services for the people living there. Izieu is one of many communes in the Ain department.
The Children's Home of Izieu
Izieu is most famous for a special house called the Maison d'Izieu (House of Izieu). During World War II, from 1943 to 1944, this house was a safe place for Jewish children. They were hidden there to protect them from the Nazis and the terrible events of the Holocaust.
The children came from different places and were cared for by a kind woman named Sabine Zlatin. She worked hard to keep them safe and help them live as normal a life as possible, even during wartime.
The Raid of April 1944
Sadly, on April 6, 1944, the children's home was raided by the Gestapo. This was the secret police of Nazi Germany. Forty-four children and seven adults who were helping them were captured. They were all sent to concentration camps, where most of them tragically died. Only one adult survived.
This event was a terrible moment in history. It showed the cruelty of the Holocaust and the brave efforts of those who tried to save lives.
Remembering the Children
Today, the Maison d'Izieu is a museum and a memorial. It is officially known as the Maison d'Izieu, Mémorial des Enfants Juifs Exterminés (House of Izieu, Memorial to the Exterminated Jewish Children). It teaches visitors about the children who lived there and the history of the Holocaust. It helps us remember what happened and why it's so important to fight against hatred and injustice.
The museum helps people, especially young people, learn about this dark period. It encourages everyone to stand up for human rights and to make sure such terrible events never happen again.
