Lale and Gita: Love in the Camp

This emotional thread follows the growth of Lale and Gita's love from first glance to marriage, with every kiss and letter as an act of defiance.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

First Tattoo Encounter

First Tattoo Encounter Lale Sokolov looks up from his tattoo table and sees Gita Furman. The moment their eyes meet, his heart seems to stop and start again. A Silent Shh A doctor in a white coat inspects Gita's face, and Lale squeezes her arm to keep her quiet. He mouths 'Shh,' and she trusts him. The Dance of Her Eyes Lale finishes the number 34902 and holds her arm a moment longer than necessary. She gives him a small smile, and he is forever changed.

The First Letter

The First Letter Lale Sokolov asks Stefan Baretski to deliver a letter to prisoner 34902. He writes only a few simple lines, telling her his name, his hometown, and his hope to see her on Sunday. A Reply Written on Paper Baretski brings back Gita Furman's reply. She tells Lale she is from Slovakia, works in the Canada, and will look for him in the compound. A Name Not Yet Given Lale scribbles on the back of her note, 'Your name, what is your name?' The question becomes the heartbeat of their love.

Sunday Meeting Behind Administration

Sunday Meeting Behind Administration Lale Sokolov waits behind the administration building and then takes Gita Furman's hand, pulling her out of the crowd. They sit in the cold and talk, laughing quietly at their absurd daily small talk. 'I'm Just a Number' Gita tells Lale she is prisoner 34902 and nothing more. Lale replies by telling her who he was outside the camp. A Promise of the Future Before they part, Lale makes Gita promise that one day she will tell him who she is and where she comes from. She agrees, and the promise binds them.

Chocolate and Diamond Ring

Chocolate and Diamond Ring Lale Sokolov feeds Gita Furman a piece of chocolate piece by piece, pressing it gently against her lips. She bites down and then smears the last of it on his mouth, kissing it away. The Ring He Offers He takes a diamond ring from his bag and offers it to her. Gita admires it but tells him to keep it and use it for food. A Kiss of Longing Their first deep kiss happens in the shadow of the administration building. For a few moments, they are not prisoners but simply two people in love.

The Love Declaration

The Love Declaration Lale Sokolov finally returns to Birkenau after weeks of working at Auschwitz, and Gita Furman trembles against the wall, thinking he is dead. He grabs her and kisses her. 'I've Fallen in Love with You' Lale says the words out loud for the first time. Gita protests that she is ugly and dirty, but he tells her there will be a tomorrow for them. The Promise of Freedom Lale vows they will survive and make a life where they are free to kiss and make love whenever they want. The words become a mantra that carries them through the war.

Separation and Reunion

Separation and Reunion At the evacuation of Birkenau, Gita Furman is swept through the gates and Lale Sokolov falls to his knees. He does not know if he will ever see her again. A Horse-Drawn Cart After the war, Lale searches Bratislava for weeks. A horse-drawn cart stops in front of Gita on a main street, and Lale climbs down, dropping to his knees again. 'Will You Marry Me?' Gita says, 'In case you didn't hear me when we left Birkenau, I love you.' Lale asks her to marry him, and she says yes. The love that began with a tattoo has survived the war.

July 1942, during the women's processing at Birkenau

summer 1942, delivered by Stefan Baretski

autumn 1942, on a Sunday in the compound

spring 1943, behind the administration building

after weeks apart at Auschwitz, 1943

January 1945 to summer 1945