Helen Lewis
Encyclopedia
Helen Lewis MBE
was a pioneer of modern dance
in Northern Ireland
, and made her name as a dance teacher and choreographer.
She was born in Trutnov
, Czechoslovakia
, in 1916, and attended Milča Mayerová’s School of Dance in Prague
after leaving school. In 1942 she was deported to the Jewish Ghetto in Terezin
with her husband Paul. From there, they were sent to Auschwitz
and separated. Paul was later to die in Schwarzheide
concentration camp, while Helen was eventually sent to Stutthof
in northern Poland
. After the liberation she returned to Prague and met up with Harry, an old friend whose family had emigrated to Belfast
. They married in 1947, and lived in Belfast, where they had two sons, Michael and Robin.
Helen began teaching modern dance and choreographing for theatre and opera, and was a founder member of the Belfast Modern Dance Group.
In 1992 she wrote a book about her experiences before and during the war (A Time To Speak, ISBN 0786704861), which was adapted by Sam McCready as a play and performed at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. In 2001 she was awarded an MBE
for her services to contemporary dance.
Helen died on 31 December 2009.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
was a pioneer of modern dance
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and made her name as a dance teacher and choreographer.
She was born in Trutnov
Trutnov
Trutnov is a city in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 31,239 and lies in the Krkonoše in the valley of the Úpa River....
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, in 1916, and attended Milča Mayerová’s School of Dance in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
after leaving school. In 1942 she was deported to the Jewish Ghetto in Terezin
Theresienstadt concentration camp
Theresienstadt concentration camp was a Nazi German ghetto during World War II. It was established by the Gestapo in the fortress and garrison city of Terezín , located in what is now the Czech Republic.-History:The fortress of Terezín was constructed between the years 1780 and 1790 by the orders...
with her husband Paul. From there, they were sent to Auschwitz
Auschwitz concentration camp
Concentration camp Auschwitz was a network of Nazi concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II...
and separated. Paul was later to die in Schwarzheide
Schwarzheide
Schwarzheide is a town in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, in southern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated on the river Schwarze Elster, 11 km southwest of Senftenberg, 110 km south of Berlin and 40 km north of Dresden...
concentration camp, while Helen was eventually sent to Stutthof
Stutthof concentration camp
Stutthof was the first Nazi concentration camp built outside of 1937 German borders.Completed on September 2, 1939, it was located in a secluded, wet, and wooded area west of the small town of Sztutowo . The town is located in the former territory of the Free City of Danzig, 34 km east of...
in northern Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. After the liberation she returned to Prague and met up with Harry, an old friend whose family had emigrated to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. They married in 1947, and lived in Belfast, where they had two sons, Michael and Robin.
Helen began teaching modern dance and choreographing for theatre and opera, and was a founder member of the Belfast Modern Dance Group.
In 1992 she wrote a book about her experiences before and during the war (A Time To Speak, ISBN 0786704861), which was adapted by Sam McCready as a play and performed at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. In 2001 she was awarded an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for her services to contemporary dance.
Helen died on 31 December 2009.