Polish President Andrzej Duda led the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp, honoring the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremony took place at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, with President Duda emphasizing Poland’s role as “guardians of memory.”
Auschwitz-Birkenau, located on Polish soil during Nazi Germany’s occupation, was the site of the systematic extermination of over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, but also Poles, Russians, and Roma. Duda reflected on the tragic history, stating that the Nazis’ criminal plan, orchestrated by Adolf Hitler, aimed to wipe out the Jewish population during World War II.
Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Holocaust’s Legacy
In his address, Duda highlighted the devastating loss of more than three million Polish Jews, murdered by the Germans during the Holocaust. He underscored the importance of remembering these atrocities to prevent such horrors from happening again.
“The fact that one nation could inflict such unimaginable harm on others is something that has never happened before,” Duda said, emphasizing the global need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust.
Poland’s Role in Preserving Holocaust Memory
Duda also paid tribute to Captain Witold Pilecki, who voluntarily entered Auschwitz to document the atrocities committed there. This heroic act exemplified the Polish people’s commitment to remembering and bearing witness to history. Poland continues this mission by safeguarding Auschwitz-Birkenau, ensuring that the memories of the victims and the lessons of the Holocaust endure.
Ceremony Highlights and Survivor Voices
The ceremony began with President Duda, accompanied by former Auschwitz prisoners, laying a wreath at the Wall of Death, where Nazi SS soldiers executed thousands of prisoners. Over 50 former prisoners attended the commemoration, making it one of the last major ceremonies with their participation due to their advanced age.
The event focused on the voices of survivors. Four survivors were selected to give lectures, while politicians refrained from speeches. Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, and Piotr Cywinski, Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, were the only officials to speak.
International Participation and Global Remembrance
The commemoration was attended by delegations from 55 countries, including Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova. This anniversary marks a pivotal moment in ensuring that the Holocaust is never forgotten, reinforcing the importance of remembrance for future generations.
By highlighting the significance of this moment in history, President Duda and those in attendance reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the millions who lost their lives there.
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