25 FEB 2025 · “We are cycling away from the gates of death to the gates of life.”
Don’t miss a powerful episode of Conversations with Alan featuring Robert Desmond, who joins us from Poland.
11 years ago, Robert set out on a solo bike ride from London to Auschwitz, determined to honor Holocaust victims and educate others about what intolerance can lead to. Along the way, he formed a profound friendship with Marcel Zielinski, who, as a small child, walked alone and afraid from Auschwitz-Birkenau to Krakow nearly 79 years ago. Marcel’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the journey from darkness to light—from leaving Auschwitz scared and alone to the celebration of Jewish life’s rebirth in Krakow today.
What began as Robert’s personal mission grew into Ride for the Living, an annual event uniting hundreds of people from around the world—survivors, supporters, and families—on a symbolic journey from Auschwitz to Krakow. This ride honors the past while celebrating the resilience, survival, and renewal of Jewish life.
In our conversation, Robert will share his deeply personal journey and reflect on the profound impact of Ride for the Living, a ride that transformed his life and the lives of so many others. We’ll also discuss the urgent need to educate future generations about the Holocaust amid rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial, and how this ride helped inspire the powerful documentary For the Living.
Listen to this moving conversation that highlights the journey from darkness to light and the importance of honoring those who came before us while committing to a brighter future.