The Story of Ivor Perl (born 1932)
Ivor Perl was born Yitzchak Perlmutter in 1932, in the Hungarian town of Mako. Ivor lost his parents and seven brothers and sisters to the Holocaust. In a narrative spanning survival, loss, and resilience, Ivor’s story is told by his youngest granddaughter; their strong close bond shines through in the story.
Ivor’s childhood, his close-knit family, and the rise of antisemitism in Hungary and Europe are portrayed through photos, videos and testimony. The Nuremberg Laws, ghettos, and forced deportations shape the harrowing journey of Ivor and his family. The Auschwitz experience, described with heartbreaking detail, leads to separation, dehumanisation, and the enduring trauma of the Holocaust. Survival becomes a tale of daily atrocities, the dread of gas chambers, and a brutal death march. Liberation finally comes in May 1945, but not without enduring unimaginable suffering and loss. Ivor and his brother Alec find refuge in a Displaced Persons camp, with the story culminating in their eventual resettlement in England.
Ivor Perl, now in his 90s, stands as a resilient survivor. His life story unfolds with the creation of a successful business, marriage to Lia’s grandmother Rhoda, and the building of a new family. Heartbreak strikes again when the loss of Alec and Rhoda cause agonising memories to resurface, yet Ivor perseveres. In 1999, encouraged by his wife, Ivor breaks decades of silence, documenting his Holocaust experiences and earning a BEM for his dedication to Holocaust education, emphasising the importance of remembrance and diversity.
His autobiography ‘Chicken Soup under the Tree’ bears witness to a life marked by tragedy and triumph, echoing the indomitable spirit of a survivor and the legacy he carries forward ‘It’s better and easier to love than to hate’.
Presented by Lia Bratt
Lia is creative and works full-time developing merchandise for global exhibitions. When not working she enjoys horse riding and connecting with nature.
Everything changed for Lia after a visit to Auschwitz with her grandfather Ivor Perl. ‘Standing on the railway tracks where my family once walked, I couldn’t contain my tears…I realised I wasn’t just a visitor but the bearer of a legacy’. She is now on a mission to keep telling her grandfather’s story to ensure that tales of resilience from the Holocaust are never forgotten.
Ivor, now in his 90s, attends talks with Lia whilst he is still able and will answer questions from the audience.
Watch an excerpt from the story of Ivor Perl