Nile Kenya

Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) was a renowned Holocaust survivor, author, and human rights activist, celebrated for his powerful reflections on his experiences during World War II. Born on September 30, 1928, in Sighet, Romania, Wiesel and his family were deported to Auschwitz in 1944, where he endured unimaginable suffering. He lost most of his family during the Holocaust, including his mother and younger sister. After being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945, he began a new life in France, where he pursued studies at the Sorbonne and worked as a journalist.

Wiesel’s seminal memoir, Night, published in 1958 (originally in Yiddish as And the World Would Remain Silent), recounts his harrowing experiences in the concentration camps and has become a classic of Holocaust literature. He authored over 40 books, including novels, essays, and plays, exploring themes of memory, faith, and humanity.

A passionate advocate for human rights, Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his efforts to combat violence and oppression worldwide. He served as a professor at Boston University and was instrumental in establishing the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Through his writings and activism, Wiesel dedicated his life to ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust would never be forgotten. He passed away on July 2, 2016, leaving behind a profound legacy as a voice for the oppressed.