A wedding in Terezin Happiness, sun and blessing

Otto Ehrmann and Elfi Felixova fell in love and were married in Theresienstadt (Terezin) ghetto on 7 February 1943.

Otto, born in 1918 in Kralup, Prague, came from a wealthy family that had a chauffeur, a maid, cook and many gardeners. The family owned a summer house in the countryside. Otto was deported from Prague to Theresienstadt in February 1942. Shortly after his arrival, he was ‘employed’ as a painter.

Elfi Felixova had been introduced to Otto by his sister Olga Wachtel (née Ehrmann). In 1944 their happiness was cut short when they were deported to different concentration camps. Otto was sent to Kaufering—a sub-camp of Dachau, where he died of typhus later that year, aged 26. Elfi was deported to Auschwitz, not knowing that she was pregnant at the time. She gave birth to a baby boy, who died soon after birth. After the war, Elfi had a breakdown due to all the horrors she endured and she was committed to an asylum in Prague. She died there, not long after liberation in 1945, aged 24.

Donated by Olga Wachtel as part of a collection of Terezin memorabilia belonging to her brother Otto Ehrmann.

Telegram sent from the Painter Group on the occasion of Otto Ehrmann and Elfi Felixova's marriage in Terezin on 7 February 1943. “Handwritten on the occasion of the wedding celebration today. Wish you much much happiness, sun and blessing. May the divine give you peace which has to come one way or the other. This is what we wish you. As you will see all those who are signing below.” Below this inscription are the signatures of 8 people incarcerated in the camp with them.