On March 13th, the Munich International School community had the profound privilege of welcoming Stephanie Lunkewitz, a children’s book illustrator and author, to share a story eight years in the making. Stephanie visited MIS to present her collaboration with 93-year-old Auschwitz survivor Eva Szepesi: the beautifully illustrated memoir, I was Eva Diamant (Ich war Eva Diamant). (Available on Amazon.de)
An Eight-Year Journey of Remembrance
The book is the result of a dedicated partnership between Stephanie and Eva, aimed at ensuring Eva’s childhood experiences and her family’s endurance during the Holocaust are never forgotten. Stephanie has committed to traveling the world to fulfill a promise made to Eva: to spread her story and message to new generations.
During her visit, Stephanie held two sessions for 9th-grade students, who are currently studying the historical context of World War II and the Holocaust in their Language & Literature and Individuals & Societies classes and some selected 8th- grade student, who are currently reading the French book, 'Au revoir les enfants / Goodbye children" by Louis Malle in French that is set in the same time. Many students found the reading and discussion very impactful.
"This presentation really gave a first - person perspective of the holocaust, and showed the reality of how truly terrible it really was. Thank you for sharing Mrs. Eva's experience with us." - Abhigya Karn (Grade 8)
A third session was held for parents, staff, and faculty, offering the wider MIS community a chance to connect with this vital piece of history.
“Please Do Not Be Silenced”
Eva Szepesi’s story is one of incredible resilience. Having arrived at Auschwitz on November 2, 1944, as a twelve-year-old, she was one of only approximately 400 children to survive the camp. Through Stephanie, Eva shares a powerful recommendation for all young people: “Please listen, please do not be silenced, please intervene when something wrong happens”.
The sessions at MIS were more than just a book reading; they were an invitation for students to become “witnesses for the witnesses”. By engaging with Eva’s real and emotional story, our students learn the importance of standing up against injustice and protecting democratic values.
"We thought the presentation was very interesting, and we were keen learning more about the holocaust, and for sure developed empathy for the victims, including Eva ". - Erik Emander (Grade 8)
How to Support and Connect
The MIS community is encouraged to continue this dialogue and support the project.
The Book: The German version of the book, Ich war Eva Diamant, was released in January 2025 . An English translation is expected to be available by June. You can look for the book at major retailers or through specialized literary channels. The German government in Berlin has decided that Stephanie’s book will be read in all schools around the country and therefore published by the Federal Agency for Civic Education or ' Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung in German.
Connecting with Eva: One of the most impactful parts of this project is the ongoing interaction between students and Eva herself. Students are encouraged to write letters to share their reflections and connections to her story.
By sharing these survivor stories, we ensure that the lessons of the past remain a guiding light for our students' future. As Eva Umlauf, another survivor and friend of Szepesi, noted, "we cannot live without hope, and that hope rests in the next generation staying informed and thinking independently.”
Stephanie plans to come back in June 2026 for a second visit for the 10th and 11th grade students. At this point, the English version of the book will be available for audiences. We look forward to having Stephanie return and being a part of her mission.