80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Commemoration
On Monday, attention will be directed toward the few remaining survivors of Nazi Germany’s horrific actions as global leaders and dignitaries gather to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. The principal ceremonies will unfold at the somber site in southern Poland, where the Nazi regime brutally executed over a million individuals, predominantly Jews, but also Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet POWs, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and numerous others deemed undesirable according to Adolf Hitler’s twisted racial policies.
The day holds heightened significance, considering the survivors are now of advanced age, raising concerns about the urgent need to hear their stories before they vanish. With the upheaval of new conflicts around the world, their experiences and warnings are more applicable than ever. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum anticipates roughly 50 survivors of Auschwitz and other concentration camps will participate in the ceremonies on Monday afternoon, accompanied by political figures and royals from various nations.
Originally established in 1940 by German authorities in the Polish town of Oswiecim following the invasion of Poland, Auschwitz began as a detention center for Polish citizens, including priests and members of the resistance. The Germans went on to create around 40 camps in the vicinity; the most notorious, Birkenau, became infamous for its mass extermination efforts using gas chambers. Prisoners often arrived at Birkenau packed into overcrowded and windowless cattle trains. Upon arrival, Nazi guards would select individuals for forced labor, while others, including the elderly, women, and children, were swiftly condemned to death by gas.
The Holocaust resulted in the deaths of six million Jews, amounting to two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population, with Auschwitz serving as one of the central locations for these atrocities through various camps and mass executions. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated the remains of Auschwitz, discovering about 7,000 frail and starving prisoners. Boris Polevoy, a reporter for the Soviet newspaper Pravda, vividly recounted witnessing immense suffering, stating, “I saw thousands of tortured people whom the Red Army had saved — people so thin that they swayed like branches in the wind.”
The liberation coincided with allied offensives moving through Europe against Germany, with Soviet forces liberating earlier camps such as Majdanek in July 1944, along with Auschwitz and Stutthof later. Meanwhile, American and British troops liberated concentration camps to the west, including Buchenwald and Dachau. After liberation, many prisoners faced continued suffering from diseases or were left to deal with the trauma of losing their families, as entire families had been eradicated.
Today, Auschwitz stands as a museum and memorial managed by Poland, attracting millions of visitors each year, with over 1.83 million documented visitors in 2024 alone. The institution’s responsibilities are significant, encompassing efforts to conserve the barracks and other remnants from that time, including a poignant project dedicated to preserving the shoes of murdered children. This somber site serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of hatred and racism, not only representing the million lives lost but also serving as a cautionary symbol against similar ideologies.
This memorialization extends to highlighting the numerous survivors who recounted their experiences due to the camp’s dual role as both a labor and extermination site. Academic Thomas Van de Putte explains, “Relatively many people survived, which for example barely happened in sites which didn’t have such a forced labor component.” In contrast, camps such as Treblinka saw nearly 900,000 individuals perish without leaving surviving witnesses, as the Nazis worked to erase evidence of their barbarous actions.
The confidence and audacity of sending world leaders to Birkenau is evident, with ambassadors, priests, rabbis, and leaders from various countries expected to be present. German representatives, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with officials from Austria, Italy, Poland, Canada, and France will affirm their commitment to acknowledging history. British King Charles III, known for his advocacy of Holocaust remembrance, will also participate along with other European royals, such as King Felipe VI of Spain.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended the 60th anniversary, has not been invited this time due to tensions arising from Russia’s actions in Ukraine, marking a third consecutive year without Russian representation. Museum director Piotr Cywi?ski articulated the sentiment for this year’s gathering, saying, “It is hard to imagine the presence of Russia, which clearly does not understand the value of freedom.”
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas sparked discussions regarding the attendance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. Ultimately, the Polish government assured the safe arrival of Israel’s representatives; however, Israel opted to send Education Minister Yoav Kisch instead of Netanyahu.
Such gatherings highlight the importance of reflection and remembrance, reminding the world of the past’s indelible impact while encouraging the protection of freedom and human rights in present-day conflicts.
