Global Leaders and Survivors Unite in Poland for 80th Auschwitz Liberation Anniversary
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Synopsis
On January 27, Auschwitz survivors and international leaders came together in Poland to honor the 80th anniversary of the camp's liberation. This significant event featured speeches from dignitaries and a collective remembrance of Holocaust victims.
Key Takeaways
- 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation commemorated.
- Attendance of 3,000 individuals, including survivors and leaders.
- Notable figures included Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron.
- Highlighting the importance of preserving historical sites.
- January 27 recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Warsaw, Jan 27 (NationPress) Auschwitz survivors and world leaders convened at the Auschwitz concentration camp in southern Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation.
The event saw the presence of several international dignitaries, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III of the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish President Andrzej Duda, alongside delegates from around 60 nations and international organizations.
The primary commemoration occurred at 4 pm local time inside a large tent set up near the famous main gate of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which is the largest of the extermination camps. Approximately 3,000 attendees, comprising Holocaust survivors, their families, and global leaders, came together to honor the victims and reflect on the atrocities of the Holocaust.
During the ceremony, Polish President Andrzej Duda paid homage to the victims, underscoring Poland's commitment to safeguarding these historical sites.
"Poland takes care of these sites to protect the memory, to keep it alive, so people always remember," he stated. Duda also pointed out that January 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005.
He further noted, "Today, we commemorate all those who were murdered during the Holocaust, including over 3 million Polish citizens of Jewish descent who were killed by the Germans during World War II," as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The Auschwitz concentration camp was set up by the Nazis in 1940. Over 1.1 million people lost their lives there. The camp was liberated by the Soviet Army on January 27, 1945, a date now recognized worldwide as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
