Hana's Suitcase

Fumiko’s exhibit, “The Holocaust Seen Through Children’s Eyes,” opens and is a great success. The exhibit uses objects to make the “tragedy…real” (53), and the suitcase is a central component. Children who come to the exhibit are drawn in by the suitcase and read the poems written by Small Wings members. Fumiko is newly inspired to find a photograph of Hana, and when the Terezin Museum says they don’t have anything, she decides to go there herself.

After four days in the deportation center, everyone is ordered to line up to get on the train. They are permitted to have one suitcase each. Hana and George feel scared and gather their things for the journey. 

Since the Czech Republic is a far trip from Japan, Fumiko worries about how to get to Terezin. She realizes she can travel to Prague more easily from the conference she is attending in England on the Holocaust. Fumiko arrives in Terezin on July 11, 2000, and finds the Terezin Ghetto Museum completely empty since it’s a holiday. A photo on Page 59 shows modern-day Terezin.