Tributes to Gordonstoun founder Kurt Hahn who fled Nazis
On Sunday, the plaque by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) was unveiled by Michael Flesch, who was a student at Gordonstoun. His father was a pupil at Salem School in Southern Germany, where Mr Hahn was headmaster before fleeing to Scotland.
In a letter, the Princess Royal said: "This plaque will be a permanent monument, informing students, teachers and visitors of Kurt Hahn's bravery and accomplishments."It will serve as a reminder of how it came to be that Hahn came here to Gordonstoun, and also serves as a warning of what happens when a society succumbs to the dangers of indifference in the face of extremism and racial hatred."My late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, thrived during his time here and counted Kurt Hahn as a personal friend, having already benefited from his wisdom in the formative years in Germany."I am sure that he would have deeply approved of this unveiling."
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex.Gordonstoun principal Peter Green said: "Our founder Kurt Hahn showed immense courage in publicly standing up to the Nazi party in the face of extreme adversity."Without his selfless determination, Gordonstoun would not exist today. We owe Hahn an eternal debt of gratitude for his vision in setting up a school with an educational philosophy focused on service and compassion."Hahn was ahead of his time in his thinking and today his memory lives on through the achievements of our wonderful students with their passion and instinct to help others, whether it's in the local community or further afield."Today's plaque unveiling will serve as an everlasting tribute to Hahn and his impact on education around the globe. This was a fitting initiative by the AJR which Gordonstoun is proud to support."
Holocaust 'one of the darkest periods'
First Minister John Swinney said in a letter to the AJR: "The atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people during the Holocaust remain one of darkest periods of human history, but it is the bravery of individuals such as Mr Hahn that can inspire the rest of us to stand in solidarity against forces which seek to target the most vulnerable members of our society."AJR trustee Frank Harding MBE came up with the idea for the plaque. He said when Mr Hahn fled to the UK, having been briefly imprisoned as both a Jew and a notable and prominent outspoken critic of the Nazi regime, he brought with him the "ethos and values" which made the school "a leading and inspiring institution of learning".
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