On the 80th anniversary of its liberation, survivors returned to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi death camp, to pay tribute to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. The solemn ceremony, attended by international leaders, emphasized the importance of remembrance and the fight against rising hatred and anti-Semitism.
On Monday, January 27th, 2025, the world commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz -Birkenau, the notorious Nazi death camp. Some of the few remaining survivors returned to the site, laying flowers at the Wall of Death in silent remembrance. Auschwitz , the largest of the extermination camps, serves as a chilling symbol of Nazi Germany 's genocide of six million Jews, claiming the lives of one million Jews and over 100,000 non-Jews between 1940 and 1945.
Around 50 survivors are expected to participate in the main commemoration ceremony scheduled for 1500 GMT outside the gates of Auschwitz II-Birkenau. A distinguished gathering of international leaders, including Britain's King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron, will join them. The ceremony will prioritize the voices of former inmates, featuring testimonies from Marian Turski, Janina Iwanska, Tova Friedman, and Leon Weintraub. The somber atmosphere descended upon Oswiecim, the town where Auschwitz stands. Streets were largely deserted, save for police and official vehicles. The camp itself was closed to the public, a silent testament to its history. Only the fluttering of the Auschwitz Museum flags, striped like the prisoners' uniforms, broke the stillness. In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for global unity to prevent evil from prevailing. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the role of Soviet soldiers in ending the 'total evil' of Auschwitz. This year, a Russian delegation was absent from the ceremony, a consequence of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.Controversies also swirled around the potential attendance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in the Gaza War. While Poland confirmed it wouldn't act on the warrant, Israel was represented by Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Surviors, aware that their numbers dwindle, express a deep sense of responsibility to preserve the memory of Auschwitz, fearing that history might repeat itself. Their personal testimonies, shared with AFP, underscore the urgency of remembering the horrors endured at the camp. Auschwitz, established in 1940 in southern Poland, was initially known as Oswiecim. The Nazis later Germanized the name to Auschwitz. On January 17, 1945, as Soviet troops approached, the SS forced 60,000 emaciated prisoners on a 'Death March' westward. From January 21-26, the Nazis systematically destroyed the Birkenau gas chambers and crematoria, withdrawing as Soviet forces neared. The date of liberation, January 27th, is recognized by the United Nations as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Holocaust Auschwitz Remembrance Survivors Liberation Nazi Germany Genocide Anti-Semitism
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