Who is Jan Żabiński’s wife Antonina Strzeszewska?
His wife Antonina authored several children’s books written from the perspective of animals. Jan Żabiński was born in Warsaw, the son of Józef Żabiński and his wife Helena née Strzeszewska who taught him the love of animals.
What happened to Jan Zabinski?
Jan Zabinski, 1967. Eventually, though, his part in the resistance caught up with him. In 1944 he fought in the Warsaw Polish Uprising and was caught by the Germans. While he was a prisoner, his wife Antonina and their son, Ryszard, continued helping Jews at the zoo.
How many books did Jan Żabiński write?
Jan Żabiński authored approximately 60 popular science books. His wife Antonina authored several children’s books written from the perspective of animals. Jan Żabiński was born in Warsaw, the son of Józef Żabiński and his wife Helena née Strzeszewska who taught him the love of animals.
What was Zabinski's relationship with the Jews like?
The friendly relations between Zabinski and the Jews were strengthened during his military service in World War I, when he was a university student (he had a Ph.D. in philosophy), and afterward at Warsaw's College of Agriculture, where he specialized in zoology and was a lecturer. It was also there that he met his wife, Antonina Erdman.
Is the zoo keepers wife a true story?
The extraordinary true story of a Polish couple whose zoo served as a refuge during the German occupation has been translated in the new film The Zookeeper's Wife, starring Jessica Chastain, which is now in theatres. It's based on the book of the same name by Diane Ackerman, which includes references to Ms.
What did Jan Zabinski do in the Warsaw Ghetto?
He became director of the Zoo before the outbreak of war but during the occupation of Poland also held a prestigious function of the Superintendent of the city's public parks in 1939–1945....Jan ŻabińskiOccupationEducator, scientist, director of Warsaw ZooKnown forHolocaust rescueAwards4 more rows
Is Teresa zabinski still alive?
January 30, 2021Teresa Żabińska-Zawadzki / Died
What did the boy yell in the zookeeper's wife?
A young boy yells, "Hitler ist kaput" as a German officer leaves the area and a woman grabs him and covers his mouth. A German officer pins a swastika pin on boy's sweater and yells, "Heil Hitler" while saluting and the boy does the same.
How many Jews did the zookeepers wife save?
Heroism can come from the most humble places. That's the message behind The Zookeeper's Wife, the story of Antonina and Jan Żabiński's heroic acts that saved around 300 Jews after Poland was invaded during World War II.
How did Jan Zabinski get Jews out of the ghetto?
Under the pretext of supervising the trees and small public garden within the ghetto area, he visited his Jewish acquaintances and helped them as best as he could. As the situation in the ghetto deteriorated, he offered them shelter.
Did Antonina Zabinski have a daughter?
Teresa Żabińska-ZawadzkiJan Żabiński / Daughter
What happened to Warsaw Zoo in ww2?
World War II The zoo was bombed regularly in September 1939, and many animals died from the bombs, bullets (e.g. apes) or missiles (e.g. an elephant, a giraffe).
Who is RYS in the zookeeper's wife?
He is friends with a badger, a hamster, and a pig named Moryś. Even his nickname, Ryś, means "lynx" in Polish (1.31). Even the animals aren't permanent playmates for poor Ryś.
Were any animals harmed in the making of the zookeepers wife?
Jessica Chastain in a still from 'The Zookeeper's Wife' While CGI would have been the easy way out, director Niki Caro insisted on shooting with real animals. The special effects and CGI were kept to the lowest to mesmerize the screen with authentic reality and tenderness of animals.
Were any animals harmed in the making of the zookeeper's wife?
Published July 7, 2011 by PETA. Last Updated October 14, 2013. PETA members converged on the Hollywood premiere of the new movie Zookeeper to remember Tweet, a giraffe who collapsed and died on set during the movie's production.
How many Jews were saved through the Warsaw Zoo?
Zabinska-Zawadzki was born at the zoo in 1944, under Nazi German occupation of Poland during World War II. For years during the war her parents saved some 300 Jews by hiding them at their villa on the zoo grounds, or in empty animal enclosures.
What was Antonina's role at the Warsaw Zoo?
Dr. Jan Żabiński, director of the Warsaw ZOO, and his wife Antonina Żabińska helped save Jews, hiding them in empty cages and pavilions of the Warsaw ZOO as well as in their home. At the same time, they were part of the Polish underground – the ZOO serve as a drop for food, weapons and ammunition.
What happened to Jan in the zookeeper's wife?
While hidden Jews mournfully celebrate a secret Passover Seder, the Germans burn down the Ghetto. Jan decides to join the Warsaw Uprising, and the couple reconciles before he leaves. Antonina later gives birth to a baby girl, Teresa. During the uprising, Jan is shot and captured, presumed dead.
What happened to Warsaw Zoo in ww2?
World War II The zoo was bombed regularly in September 1939, and many animals died from the bombs, bullets (e.g. apes) or missiles (e.g. an elephant, a giraffe).
When did the Warsaw Zoo open?
March 11, 1928City Zoological Garden in Warsaw / Opened
What was the real life consequence of Jan and Antonina Zabinski?
Imagine having your life threatened for simply offering a glass of water to a Jewish person. That was the real-life consequence that zookeepers' Jan and Antonina Zabinski faced when Germany invaded Poland ...
Who was Jan Zabinski?
Jan Zabinski was a zookeeper and member of the Polish resistance. At the height of Adolf Hitler 's reign, Jan Zabinski was director of the Warsaw Zoo and superintendent of the city parks.
How did Antonina help the Jews?
Although much of the zoo was damaged due to bombing, Antonina, Jan and their son allowed Jews to hide in empty animal cages, in their house (sometimes up to a dozen at a time), and secret underground tunnels. Antonina used music to communicate to the escapees, playing a particular tune to signal when they needed to hide and then playing a different tune when the coast was clear. She even dyed the hair of an entire Jewish family so they could disguise their background. To conceal their Jewish names, Antonina gave some of the families animal nicknames (e.g. The Squirrels, The Hamsters, The Pheasants) and gave some of the zoo animals human names.
What was the real life consequence that zookeepers' Jan and Antonina Zabinski faced during?
That was the real-life consequence that zookeepers' Jan and Antonina Zabinski faced when Germany invaded Poland during World War II.
What role did Antonina play in saving Jewish lives?
As a lover of animals and believing that every living creature was important, Antonina played an indispensable role in saving hundreds of Jewish lives. "I looked at them with despair," she said. "Their appearance and the way they spoke left no illusions. ….
Why did Antonina use music?
Antonina used music to communicate to the escapees, playing a particular tune to signal when they needed to hide and then playing a different tune when the coast was clear . She even dyed the hair of an entire Jewish family so they could disguise their background.
How long did the Zookeeper's wife hide?
But the couple embarked on a much bolder act of rebellion than offering a glass of water. For three years , they chose to hide and shelter close to 300 Jews and political insurgents at their zoo. Based on Antonina's diary, their heroic story is the focus of the 2017 film, The Zookeeper's Wife, which stars Jessica Chastain.
What happened to the Warsaw Zoo in 1930?
Hiding in Zoo Cages. By the 1930's the Warsaw Zoo had become one of Europe's largest zoos. Its expanded area housed many animals. This prosperity was, however, short lived. When World War II broke out extensive parts of the zoo were destroyed in the bombings, many animals were killed, and others, including the zoo's special attraction – ...
Where was the book of Zabinski buried?
He put it in a glass jar and buried it in the zoo grounds. In April 1945 Rachel Auerbach was able to retrieve her manuscript and publish it. An active member of the Polish underground Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Zabinski participated in the Polish uprising in Warsaw of August and September 1944.
Where did Jews find shelter in the zoo?
According to the testimonies, many Jews found temporary shelter in the zoo’s abandoned animal cells, until they were able to relocate to permanent places of refuge elsewhere. In addition, close to a dozen Jews were sheltered in Zabinski's two-story private home on the zoo's grounds.
Who was the woman who was in contact with Zabinski?
Rachel Auerbach, who took part in the attempts to create a clandestine ghetto archive and who played an important role in documenting the story of the Warsaw ghetto, was in contact with Zabinski all through that period. After the ghetto was liquidated, she went into hiding and continued to work on her diary, recording events for posterity. As the front came closer to Warsaw, she gave one of her notebooks to Zabinski. He put it in a glass jar and buried it in the zoo grounds. In April 1945 Rachel Auerbach was able to retrieve her manuscript and publish it.
Jan Zabinski was a zookeeper and member of the Polish resistance
At the height of Adolf Hitler’s reign, Jan Zabinski was director of the Warsaw Zoo and superintendent of the city parks. He was also secretly part of the Polish resistance and used his distinct professional standing to smuggle food and Jews in and out of the Warsaw Ghetto.
When her husband was captured, Antonina stepped in
Eventually, though, his part in the resistance caught up with him. In 1944 he fought in the Warsaw Polish Uprising and was caught by the Germans. While he was a prisoner, his wife Antonina and their son, Ryszard, continued helping Jews at the zoo.
Jan eventually returned to his family
Just like in the movie, the real-life fate of the Zabinskis had a happy ending: Jan survived the prison camp and returned to his family. He later took on a position at the State Commission for the Preservation of Nature and authored 60 science books.
What did Antonina learn from her orphaned son?
Orphaned at 9, Antonina learned early on how to read people. She painted, spoke several languages and was passionate about polka dots — and animals. After marrying Jan in 1931, she reared orphaned lynx and lion cubs alongside their son, Rys, at their zoo-side home. Later, as Antonina helped Jan smuggle Jews out of the ghetto, she adopted them, too. She even managed to feed them, though the zoo’s cook wondered why a family of three always seemed ravenous, asking for seconds . . . and fourths.
What did Antonina do in 1944?
In 1944, Jan left to join the Warsaw Uprising, making bombs and sabotaging German trains. Antonina, who by then had a newborn to care for, stayed behind.
What did Antonina do for her children?
Later, as Antonina helped Jan smuggle Jews out of the ghetto, she adopted them, too.
Why did Jan drive his truck into the Ghetto?
Persuading the Nazis to let them raise pigs for meat for German soldiers gave Jan an excuse to drive his truck into the ghetto: On the pretense of gathering garbage for hog feed, he smuggled food and money in and people out. Both he and Antonina always kept cyanide capsules at the ready, in case they were caught.
Why did Jan leave the Warsaw Uprising?
In 1944, Jan left to join the Warsaw Uprising, making bombs and sabotaging German trains. Antonina, who by then had a newborn to care for, stayed behind. She was holding her baby girl the day the Nazis came and yanked Rys off behind a garden shed.
What did the refugees call the people they sheltered?
They called the people they sheltered their “guests, ” and treated them as such, giving them animal code names to throw off their staff. Several refugees, including Magdalena Gross, the sculptor they nicknamed “starling,” were longtime friends of the family, but many more were strangers.
Who plays Antonina in The Zookeeper's Wife?
She even managed to feed them, though the zoo’s cook wondered why a family of three always seemed ravenous, asking for seconds . . . and fourths. Jessica Chastain plays Antonina Zabinski in “The Zookeeper’s Wife.”.
Why are the Zabinskis considered righteous among the nations?
Israel's Yad Vashem Institute has recognized the Zabinskis as Righteous Among the Nations for having risked the family’s lives in order to save Jewish lives. In 2017, Zabinska-Zawadzki attended Warsaw’s gala screening of “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” a movie starring Jessica Chastain, about her parents’ heroism.
How old was Teresa Zabinska-Zawadzki when she died?
The zoo said Sunday on Facebook that Teresa Zabinska-Zawadzki died the previous night, at age 77. It did not give the cause of her death.
Where was Zabinska born?
Zabinska-Zawadzki was born at the zoo in 1944, under Nazi German occupation of Poland during World War II. For years during the war her parents saved some 300 Jews by hiding them at their villa on the zoo grounds, or in empty animal enclosures.
Who is the daughter of the Warsaw Zoo?
The daughter of former Warsaw Zoo directors Jan and Antonina Zabinski, who saved hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust by hiding them at the zoo and whose story was told in a Hollywood movie, has died. By The Associated Press.
Who is the daughter of Jan and Antonina Zabinski?
FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, March 7, 2017, Teresa Zabinska, the daughter of Jan and Antonina Zabinski poses for a photo prior to the gala screening of "The Zookeeper's Wife" movie.
Jan Zabinski Was A Zookeeper and Member of The Polish Resistance
Jan Żabiński (8 April 1897 – 26 July 1974) and his wife Antonina Żabińska (née Erdman) (1908–1971) were a Polish couple from Warsaw, recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for their heroic rescue of Jews during the Holocaust in Poland. Jan Żabiński was a zoologist and zootechnician by profession, a scientist, and organizer and director of the renowned Warsaw Zoo before …
When Her Husband Was Captured, Antonina Stepped in
Jan Eventually Returned to His Family