Show Notes:
"We Fight to Survive"
Between 1942 and 1944, a group of families from Nazi-occupied western Ukraine hid in the local caves, with some never leaving for almost one year. This is their story.
What does it take to survive in the darkest of times? How can humans endure months or even years without sunlight, fresh air, or certainty of survival? From Kyiv’s sewers to the forests of Poland, from the extermination camps of the Holocaust to modern-day hostage situations, the resilience of the human spirit continues to defy comprehension.
This episode brings you the extraordinary story of survival by a group of Jewish families who, between 1943 and 1944, hid in the caves of western Ukraine to escape Nazi persecution. These caves, among the largest in the world, became both a sanctuary and a prison as the families navigated their way through unimaginable conditions for nearly a year.
We connect this story with Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, exploring how purpose and meaning can become the ultimate tools for survival. This is not just a Jewish story—it’s a European story, a human story.
Along the way, we’ll delve into:
• The unique geography of western Ukraine’s cave systems.
• The heroic efforts of the Stermer family and their fight for survival.
• How meaning and community can sustain life in the face of absolute despair.
• Modern-day parallels to these harrowing experiences.
Key Moments:
Introduction – Why survival stories like this still matter today.
Discovering the Story – From a Wikipedia footnote to a museum exhibit: how this history came to light.
The Caves of Ternopil Region – Exploring the geography, history, and cultural significance of the caves.
Life Underground – How the Stermer family and others adapted to life in total darkness.
Betrayals and Bravery – The dramatic capture and escape of Esther and her family.
The Role of Meaning in Survival – Insights from Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy.
Modern Echoes – What this story teaches us about resilience in the face of ongoing conflicts today.
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The story was featured in National Geographic Adventure in 2004 and inspired both a young adult book, The Secret of Priest's Grotto (2007), and a 2013 documentary featuring Nicola and four survivors.
The movie
Released in 2012, is available on Amazon Prime and on Youtube
Sources online
* Christos Nicola, Peter Lane Taylor, The Secret of Priest's Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story, 2007
* Europe Between East And West, blog: Caving In – Optymistychna: The Ukrainian Underworld, 2021
* Відвідай туроператор (Vidvidai Tour Operator): 5 the Most Interesting Caves in Ternopil Region
* Smow Journal, Natalia Romik. Hideouts. Architecture of Survival at the Jewish Museum, Frankfurt, 2024 / also in the Frankfurt Jewish Museum website
* Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine, Media Portal, 11 min. documentary on the Ozernaya Cave, 2011
* National Geographic Magazine, The Darkest Days, July 2004, via WebArchive.org
* Haaretz, How Caves That Have Sheltered People for 6,000 Years Saved Jews From the Holocaust, Jul 22, 2023
* Mykhailo P. Sokhatskyi’s scientific contributions on Research Gate focused on the prehistoric history of Verteba and Priest´s Grotto
* (Video) Hideouts. The Architecture of Survival. - lecture by Natalia Romik at the Art Biennale Budapest, Nov 2024
Credits:
Research and narration by Valentina Giannella, based on the sources listed above.
Music & SFX:
Serge Pavkin “Prolonged Rain”
A segment featuring Frank Birnbaum singing Avinu Malkeinu
Some personal recordings
Sound effects by ElevenLabs and Pixabay
Sound Design: Valentina Giannella
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