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Episode 5

The interviews continue, and Lien talks about her marriage and family life. But the events of her past are always with her, and the time comes for her to face them.

The story of a man's search for the truth about his family's past

The last time Hesseline - known as Lien - saw her parents was in The Hague as she was collected at the door by a stranger and taken to a city far away to be hidden from the Nazis. She was raised by her foster family as one of their own but, some years after the war, she became estranged from the family who took her in. What was her side of the story? Bart van Es - a grandson of the couple who looked after Lien - was determined to find out.

Lien was now in her 80s and living in Amsterdam. Reluctantly, she agreed to meet him and eventually they struck up a remarkable friendship. The Cut Out Girl combines a powerful recreation of Lien's intensely harrowing childhood story with the wider picture of life in Holland under the Nazi occupation.

In the final extract, Lien faces the most painful memories of events in her past.

Written by Bart Van Es
Read by Daniel Weyman
Abridged by Isobel Creed and Lizzie Davies
Produced by Lizzie Davies
A Waters Company production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 11 Aug 2018 00:30

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Credits

Role Contributor
Reader Daniel Weyman
Author Bart Van Es
Abridger Isobel Creed
Abridger Lizzie Davies
Producer Lizzie Davies

Broadcasts

  • Fri 10 Aug 2018 09:45
  • Sat 11 Aug 2018 00:30

Parents who saved their only child by giving her away

Parents who saved their only child by giving her away

The story behind The Cut Out Girl from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News.

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