Petr Kien

Petr Kien (January 1, 1919 – October 1944) was a Czech artist, writer, and stage designer. Born in Varnsdorf, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), he was deported to the Theresienstadt (Terezín) concentration camp in 1941.

Within Theresienstadt, Kien played a significant role in the cultural life of the camp. He wrote and staged plays, designed sets and costumes, and created numerous drawings and paintings that documented the harsh realities and, at times, the resilient spirit of the camp’s inhabitants. He collaborated with other artists and intellectuals imprisoned there, including composer Viktor Ullmann. One of his most notable works was the libretto and stage design for Ullmann's opera Der Kaiser von Atlantis (The Emperor of Atlantis).

Kien's artwork, which often depicted scenes of suffering and confinement, served as a form of resistance and a testament to the human spirit. His writings explored themes of identity, loss, and the struggle for meaning in the face of unimaginable adversity.

In October 1944, Petr Kien was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and murdered. Despite his tragic death, his artistic and literary legacy has endured. His works provide valuable historical and artistic insight into the Holocaust and stand as a powerful reminder of the importance of creativity and expression even in the darkest of times. His works are now included in museum collections and exhibitions around the world.