Son of Auschwitz Tattooist Confronts Family History on 80th Liberation Anniversary

Gary Sokolov, son of Lali Sokolov, the famed "Tattooist of Auschwitz," has made an emotional pilgrimage to the Auschwitz concentration camp on the 80th anniversary of its liberation. This visit fulfills his father’s dying wish to return and apologize to the lives he could not save.

Despite enduring four decades of failed attempts due to the weight of the memories, Gary finally entered the camp, overwhelmed by the horrific reality that unfolded there during World War II. His experience, filmed for a Sky History documentary, highlighted the profound impact of his family's past on his identity.

Lali Sokolov, who tattooed numbers onto prisoners’ arms during the Holocaust, had a remarkable survival story involving love and resilience. He met and inked the forearm of his future wife, Gita, after being rescued from a death cart shortly after arriving at Auschwitz.

Despite their optimistic outlook after the war and the challenges they faced, Gary learned detailed accounts of their struggles only recently through the book "The Tattooist of Auschwitz." He reflects on his parents' legacy and the importance of educating younger generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust.

With rising global anti-Semitism, Gary emphasizes the need to maintain awareness of these historical events and the stories of individuals like his parents, who, although small in stature, have left an indelible impact on the world.

The documentary "The Tattooist’s Son: Journey to Auschwitz" premiered on Sky History, bringing attention to the historical significance of his family's experience.