Jewish refugee who fled Nazi persecution by fleeing to Andorra expresses her gratitude

Andorra la Vella - Source “Govern.ad”

Andorra was a place of refuge and a way out for jews fleeing Nazi persecution and extermination. 85 year old Carla Kimhi, has personally thanked the Cap de Govern, Antoni Marti, for the support and solidarity of the Andorran people who allowed her and her family to survive Hitlers’ troupes invasion of France in 1942.

Kimhi, born Bernson, came from Vienna and after moving to various places in Europe, settled in Ax-les-Thermes with her parents and her brother during the height of World War II

In the face of an imminent arrival of the Germans to the area, the family fled on foot towards Andorra over the mountain. On arrival at the border an SS oficial tried to arrest them put the Andorran police prevent it. Carla Kimhi explains how the head of police took them personally to Escaldes-Engordany and how they were put up in a hotel.

After several days in Andorra, they managed to find a guide, known as Pierre, who took them over the mountains to la Seu d’Urgell. The family was initially arrested but, consequently released and allowed by the Spanish authorities to settle in Madrid, where Carla and her bother Sigmund continued their education. In 1944 the English authorities issued them with the documentation to move to Palestine and there they are living the creation of the Israel State.

Khimi had a meeting yesterday with the Cap de Govern during an hour. She expressed her personal gratitude and that of the many jews whose lives were saved by the help of the Andorran authorities and people, as well as Spain. Khimi believes that stories like hers are a “ray of light in a very, very dark Europe”.

Carla Khimi has taken the opportunity during her holidays in Andorra to make contact with the authorities and tell their story to the public.

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