What untold stories lie within this bust? We stand before the Premysl Pitter Bust in Nuremberg. It is a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to children. He helped them through some of Europe’s darkest times.
Premysl Pitter was born in Prague in 1895. He became a beacon of hope during the tumultuous 20th century. He is sometimes called a forgotten Czech Schindler. Pitter helped Czech, German, and Jewish children. He believed all children deserved love and a chance to grow.
Pitter’s life changed after World War I. He saw the horrors of the trenches. Unable to shoot at others, he returned home a pacifist. He felt he owed his life to others. He began working with children in poor communities. In the 1920s, he met Olga Fierz, a Swiss teacher. She became his lifelong companion.
Together, Pitter and Fierz opened the Milicuv dum in Zizkov in 1933. It was a unique center. It welcomed all children regardless of background. The children called Pitter “Uncle”. They could share their fears and problems with him. He emphasized moral values like truth and mutual help.
During the Nazi occupation, Pitter invited Jewish children to the Milicuv dum. The center became an oasis of freedom. Despite the risks, Pitter stood by his principles. He even told the Gestapo he was helping Jewish children.
After Prague’s liberation in 1945, Pitter was put in charge of helping children. He created homes for them in country houses. He cared for Jewish survivors and German children. He was horrified by the mistreatment of Germans. He included them in his care.
Jehuda Bacon survived the death camps. He remembers Pitter’s amazing charisma. Pitter helped them trust again. He made them believe in human beings.
After the communist takeover, Pitter fled to Germany in 1951. He continued to work with refugees near Nuremberg. Yad Vashem recognized Pitter and Fierz as Righteous Among the Nations. They planted a tree in Jerusalem to honor Pitter’s work.
This Premysl Pitter Bust stands as a reminder. It reminds us of his unwavering commitment. He taught that the soul of a child is eternal.