On January 27, 2025, the world will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest and most notorious concentration and extermination camp established by Nazi Germany during World War II. This historic date serves as both a remembrance and a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust, where around 1.5 million individuals, including over one million Jews, were systematically murdered.
The solemn events surrounding this anniversary will include Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's participation at the central memorial ceremony held in Oświęcim, Poland, the location of Auschwitz. Early on the anniversary date, Steinmeier will arrive via Katowice and will proceed to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial site. Here, he will walk through the historic grounds of the former concentration camp Auschwitz I, engage with survivors, and lay wreaths to honor the countless lives lost.
Historian Christoph Kreutzmüller poignantly discussed the impact of the liberation, stating, “The Red Army tried to help, but how could one aid those who were merely shadows of their former selves? They were starving, and it was overwhelming.” This remark captures the emotional weight of the moment the soldiers arrived to discover around 7,600 survivors—people too broken to celebrate their newfound freedom.
On the ground at Auschwitz, artists will play a significant role in shaping the dialogue on remembrance. Marcus Beuter's sound installation, titled "Endless Terror," aims to immerse visitors in the experience of the camp's darkest days through audio narratives, reflecting on the continuous struggle of Holocaust survivors. Alongside this, artist Martina Barz has created glass installations representing every camp and sub-camp of Auschwitz, highlighting the extensive layout and brutal reality of these locations.
Discussions around these artistic expressions are particularly relevant as the world grapples with rising antisemitism. Piotr Cywinski, director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, underlined the importance of memory. He stated, "The memory serves to allow us to be wiser today and not just to mourn the victims of the past." Such sentiments resonate deeply within the framework of education and the transmission of remembrance to younger generations, especially as fewer survivors are left to share their stories.
Coinciding with these memorial events, various media outlets, including television networks across Germany, will screen movies and documentaries about the Holocaust to keep the conversation alive. This initiative highlights the continued need to educate the public. Saarland Minister-President Anke Rehlinger emphasized, “Education is the key to enlightenment and the prevention of anti-Semitism and racism,” advocating for mandatory visits to concentration camp memorials for students.
Across Poland, Auschwitz remains firmly ingrained in the national consciousness. The site attracts nearly two million visitors each year, serving not only as memorial space for Jews but also for Poles, considering the grave suffering endured by the Polish people during the war. The acknowledgement of Auschwitz as part of Polish history—the deportation of 150,000 Poles alongside Jewish victims—adds layers to the commemorative narrative.
Several key themes will emerge during the memorials: the persistence of hate and the stark reminders of anti-Semitism, prevalent within today's society. The scarcity of living witnesses adds urgency to these discussions, as younger generations must grapple with the history of their ancestors' suffering and the ethical responsibilities it imparts.
Indeed, 80 years later, commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz is not merely about reflecting on past horrors but also about fostering resilience against the rise of extremism worldwide. Every event, every installation, every story shared serves as part of the fight to promote awareness, educate about the dangers of unchecked hate, and solidify the directive of “Never again.”
The evening elements of the commemorative activities will focus on inclusivity and dialogue, inviting participants to engage with the narratives presented through film, art, and survivor testimony. The expectation is not simply to honor those who perished but to spark conversations about identity, belonging, and the moral obligations of society today.
Through significant acts of remembrance intertwined with educational efforts, the message stands clear: Reflecting on the past is not only about remembrance, it’s about ensuring such atrocities are not repeated, making the legacy of Auschwitz endure through collective action.