The Tin Ring, by Zdenka Fantlova

Below is a message from Ann Rachlin, recommending a remarkable survival story:

I would like to recommend a book entitled “The Tin Ring” by Zdenka Fantlova.    Zdenka is now 95 years old, lives alone in London and is a dear friend of mine.  She is unique.   Zdenka is 95 years old and lives alone in London.   She survived six concentration camps, two death marches and was eventually liberated in Bergen Belsen by the British on April 15th 1945. dying from starvation and typhoid and weighing 77 lbs.   Zdenka lost her entire family in the Holocaust.  She eventually went to Australia, where she became an actress, married and had one daughter.
Four months ago on January  along with 150 young teenage pupils and their parents, I listened with rapt attention as she told her story.   Standing for over an hour and speaking  without a note of any kind, she gently related her story of her love for Arno, her fiancé whom she adored and their determination to overcome the difficulties facing them and live their lives together after the War.  Sadly it was not to be.

The end of her story, when a British soldier, liberating Bergen Belsen, saved her life is at the same time, spine-chilling and uplifting.   How she came to speak English and how her ability to talk to the British soldier in his own language, saved her life, is one of the most moving parts of the story, told so simply and so fervently by this courageous survivor, diminutive in physical stature, but huge in the power of her strength of spirit over the cruelty of the Nazis and the horrors of the Holocaust.

As Zdenka finished her story, many of the children in the audience had tears running down their cheeks.   Many have since spoken and written about the impact she had on them.   14 year old Daniel Culham wrote

 Thank you so much for your talk. The holocaust is something that has interested me and therefore it was fascinating to hear your accounts as a Jew in the holocaust.  Something which was evident from your talk was the power of love. It was inspirational to hear about your feelings for Arno and how your feelings for him gave you a meaning to your life and the hope needed to continue living. I have been thinking about how love is far more powerful than hate and how I should apply this to my life. Another thing which I thought about was the power of communication. Your talk reminded me that through communication we can understand each other, relate and have empathy for each other and we can work together to achieve a greater good. I have thought about how if we can communicate we can achieve so much more than if we disregard each other and focus on our own needs. I am sure I will remember this talk for the rest of my life and I am so glad I came to it. I look forward to reading your book – The Tin Ring.
Zdenka received a standing ovation of several minutes and then, she moved to a table where, for over an hour, she signed her books and talked to the schoolchildren and their teachers and parents, who were queuing round the hall to buy their copy of  "The Tin Ring" and have it signed by Zdenka Fantlova.  Some of the members may have seen Zdenka on the “Antique Road Show” when she tried to find the soldier who saved her life.

In spite of all her experiences at the hands of the Nazis, Zdenka is positive in her outlook on life.  She tells her story simply, speaking from the heart without bitterness or condemnation.   There is nothing miserable or pathetic about her.  She is inspirational.  To hear her speak is a life-changing experience that you remember for the rest of your life.

I have invited Zdenka to Winchelsea on Sunday October 15th at 3pm when she will appear in a special concert entitled "LIFE  IS WONDERFUL" a phrase  Zdenka often personally inscribes in her book.  Appearing with her will be the young virtuoso Israeli violinist, Itamar Rashkovsky and nine other talented Jewish musicians who will play music from Terezin concentration camp, composed and originally performed by Zdenka's fellow prisoners, all of whom perished in the gas chambers.   Zdenka is now the last survivor of the performers of Terezin.   The concert will be held in St Thomas the Martyr Church in Winchelsea, a unique occasion which is already attracting a great deal of interest both in this area and further afield.  Visitors are coming from far and wide to hear Zdenka’s uplifting talk on life and how she survived.   Her book will be available after the concert when she will sign and dedicate it to purchasers.

I think it would be most beneficial if the members of the Literary Society were to read “The Tin Ring” before the October 15th concert.

It is not a long book but it is well written, is totally riveting and awe-inspiring.  Zdenka has no bitterness and believes fervently that “Every Day is a Gift” and “Life is wonderful”.  One leaves her presence with a renewed zest for life and a sense of purpose and resilience.   She is by far the most important and inspirational woman I have ever met.  

In these troubled times when disturbing stories of anti-semitism and racism are published daily, it is essential that we educate our young people and their families, inspiring them to make sure the horrors of the Holocaust never happen again.   That is why Zdenka's visit to the South East coast is so important.   I do hope that the Literary Society will approve this suggestion that they read “The Tin Ring” and discuss its impact on each and every one of its readers.

Best wishes

Ann Rachlin 

PS.  The book retails at £8.99 but I can possibly obtain copies from Zdenka’s publisher for £6 if that is of interest.