when SS men arrived in the Romani section of Auschwitz-Birkenau Roma refused to leave their barracks and armed themselves for a fight to the death.  Top Photo: A group of Roma gathers around a couple during a celebration Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, Nazi anti-Roma policies and violent actions escalated into the genocide of over 250,000 people. One of the sites of the Romani genocide was Auschwitz-Birkenau, the concentration and death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.[1] Though they were outmatched in numbers and resources the Romani prisoners did not submit to the violence against them without resistance The first transport of Roma arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau on February 26, 1943. A special section of the camp, separate from other prisoners, was set up for Romani arrivals and surrounded with barbed wire. It was a barren, muddy rectangle with no buildings. The new arrivals, exhausted after a multiday train journey with no food or water, were then forced to construct barracks with the flimsy wood and meager tools that the SS forced into their hands.[2] In this newly established section of the camp later known as the “Gypsy Family Camp,” Romani prisoners remained with their families though their barracks were segregated by gender causing extreme shame when family members saw one another naked The latrines also did not have running water nor sanitary supplies The food was rotten and so foul that people often vomited or had diarrhea which ran down their legs and caked onto their clothing Women who were still healthy enough to menstruate closely guarded rags to use as pads.  I think my hope had completely disappeared. We had no more hope. We—people prayed. I’m Roman Catholic. We were raised that way. But we saw that it was of no use. I had seen my grandfather die there, my uncles, my aunts, and I thought to myself, “Where is the Lord God? Where is He?”[4] people in the Romani section began to fear that they were next An aerial reconnaissance photograph of the Auschwitz-Birkenau showing in the red box the "Gypsy Family Camp" and showing in red circles the gas chambers and crematoria Annotations added by the National World War II Museum Image from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration Auschwitz-Birkenau camp leadership was gearing up for the arrival of over 400,000 Hungarian Jews most of whom would be sent to the gas chambers camp commandant Rudolf Höss sought to clear out the “Gypsy Family Camp” to make room for the thousands of new prisoners The first sign that the camp was going to be “liquidated”—the Nazi euphemism for emptying the camp and murdering its inhabitants—came when Russian Roma were forcibly removed the SS guards told the remaining Romani prisoners that the Russian Roma planks of wood—and resolved not to leave the barracks until they were forced.  and certainly not one the scale of the entire camp Schwarzhuber and his men returned to their trucks and drove off into the night A week after the failed attempt, the SS men returned to the “Gypsy Family Camp,” this time to select prisoners for transfer to other sites. In this selection, they were looking for young, fit people who were capable of forced labor. Many of those selected were also former Wehrmacht soldiers who had been ousted because of their race. More than 1,500 Roma were transferred to the Auschwitz main camp and later onto other camps.[10] After that selection, the summer was relatively quiet. Prisoners continued to go to their forced labor assignments, and children were quietly whisked away for Nazi doctor Josef Mengele’s experiments Diseases continued to claim the lives of prisoners and men and women suffered the brutality of the guards Over 1,400 prisoners were selected and transferred out of the “Gypsy Family Camp.” There were then only 2,900 prisoners remaining Of the almost 23,000 Roma imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau, over 19,300 were killed there. Though most succumbed to starvation and disease, the Roma did not go quietly to their deaths, whether in the camp “hospital” or the gas chambers.[13]  The genocide of the Roma is now remembered and mourned on August 2 the day of the destruction of the Romani section of Auschwitz-Birkenau Roma Resistance Day is commemorated on May 16 the day that the Romani prisoners rebelled against their Nazi oppressors Pharrajimos: The Fate of the Roma During the Holocaust by Gábor Komáromy (Budapest: Romedia Foundation Empire of Destruction: A History of Nazi Mass Killing (New Haven: Yale University Press The Nazi Persecution of the Gypsies (Oxford: Oxford University Press Shared Sorrows: A Gypsy Family Remembers the Holocaust (Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire Press Jennifer Putnam is a former Research Historian at the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National World War II Museum Copy MLA Citation Copy APA Citation Copy Chicago Style Citation the Nazi regime persecuted Roma across Europe killing over 250,000 Romani people and sterilizing around 2,500 There is insufficient attention paid to the long history of the Roma within European culture When the war in Europe ended in the spring of 1945 Bavarian authorities devised an entire system for policing and persecuting Roma the day after V-E Day was officially confirmed Eleanor Roosevelt reflects on the cautious mood The concept of genocide has fundamentally altered international law transforming the way we understand mass violence in the modern world.  Whether it played the role of the “Black Cat,” “Mad Cat,” or “Dumbo,” the PBY Catalina proved itself as one of the most instrumental amphibious planes as it struck fear in the Axis and provided hope for the Allies Regarded as the “most beautiful woman in the world,” Hedy Lamarr was not only a famous Hollywood actress who sold millions in war bonds during World War II Her creations included a frequency-hopping radio communications device for Allied torpedoes during the war including ghettos and other sites of incarceration from imprisoning "enemies of the state" to serving as way stations in larger deportation schemes to murdering people in gas chambers.  the remains of Private First Class John Henry Newstrom a US Marine killed during the Battle of Peleliu in 1944 have been identified and will be returned home thanks to a joint recovery effort by the US and Japanese governments In her first My Day column after Franklin D Eleanor Roosevelt reflects on the sorrow following his passing and urges the world to unite in building a lasting Controlling the Ryukyu Islands would allow the Americans to finally sever Japan from its South Asian empire.  View Campus Map Cookies allow us to understand how you use this site and improve your experience. Our detailed Cookie Policy can be found here By continuing to use this website you accept our use of cookies Mandatory cookies help make this website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website Our website cannot function properly without these cookies Statistic cookies help us understand how visitors interact with this website for example seeing which pages are most popular This information is collected anonymously and helps us improve the site by making the most sought after information easy to find Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites allowing the display of ads that are relevant and engaging for the visitor Whilst we do not display any advertising on the WJC website allowing marketing cooking may allow other sites to see that you have visited our site Oświęcim, Poland — Today, the World Jewish Congress unveiled a powerful new exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, showcasing original artistic interpretations of Holocaust memory created by students from 13 schools across 10 European countries. The works reflect how the Holocaust resonates with young people today and how its lessons can shape their understanding of justice, tolerance, and human dignity. Participating students, from both Jewish and non-Jewish schools, explored Holocaust history through virtual or in-person visits to memorial sites—including Auschwitz itself—and were then invited to express their insights through original artworks: paintings, sculptures, digital designs, and written narratives. Each piece serves as a personal response to the legacy of the Holocaust, interpreted through the eyes of the next generation. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said the initiative is a vital bridge between history and moral conscience. “The Holocaust is not only a matter of remembrance—it is a call to moral responsibility,” Lauder said. “By empowering young people to express what they’ve learned through art, we are not only teaching them about the past, we are equipping them to confront the challenges of today. This is how remembrance becomes personal, and how memory becomes action.” Sara Friedman, CEO of WJC Israel, was present at the unveiling in Auschwitz. “This exhibition reminds us that Holocaust education must go beyond dates and facts—it must reach hearts and shape values,” Friedman said. “These students have turned memory into meaning. They are becoming the new storytellers, the new witnesses.” The exhibition was launched during the March of the Living, where the WJC delegation joined thousands of participants from around the world in honoring the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirming the collective responsibility to combat antisemitism today. Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace Public access to information is a key component of UNESCO's commitment to transparency and its accountability. Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed, transparent and UNESCO’s e-Platform on intercultural dialogue is designed for organizations and individuals to learn from shared knowledge or experiences from infl Established in 2002, the GEM Report is an editorially independent report, hosted and published by UNESCO. To recovery and beyond: The report takes stock of the global progress on the adoption and implementation of legal guarantees on Access to Info Addressing culture as a global public good For almost 75 years, the UNESCO Courier has served as a platform for international debates on issues that concern the entire pla Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la Shoah20 January 2025Last update:5 February 2025Remembering and learning about the Holocaust reveals the dangers of antisemitism UNESCO emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the legacies of violent pasts to help develop the knowledge and values to prevent future atrocity crimes The "Auschwitz Birkenau - German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahReferred to by the Nazis as the Judenrampe this railway siding received deportation convoys of European Jews between 1942 and May 1944 November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahUpon arrival a “selection” process was conducted by an SS physician who directed a minority of deportees into the camp while sending the vast majority to their deaths Entrance Gate of Auschwitz-Birkenau November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahPhotographed from outside the camp this image shows the central watchtower of Auschwitz-II Convoys passed beneath it starting in mid-May 1944.  Watchtower at Auschwitz-II Birkenau November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahThe camp perimeter was surrounded by watchtowers 11-meter-high wooden structures where SS guards monitored detainees The 170-hectare camp was enclosed by 16 kilometers of electrified barbed wire November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahBehind Crematorium IV at Auschwitz-Birkenau lies a body of water where the Nazis disposed of the ashes of murdered victims Memorial plaques honor their memory.  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahA gate controlling access to the wide avenue between sectors BIIc and BIId of Auschwitz-Birkenau This path was used by victims heading to Crematoriums IV and V and those directed to the Zentralsauna.  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahTo the left of the Bahnrampe (railway siding) stands Crematorium II a brick building containing an undressing room It became operational on 31 March 1943.  Inside a Barrack in the Quarantine Camp November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahNo original wooden barracks from Auschwitz-II remain The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum decided to reconstruct sector BIIa initially made of prefabricated barracks housing over 400 detainees.  International Monument at Auschwitz-Birkenau November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahInitiated in 1957 by the International Auschwitz Committee the International Monument at Birkenau was inaugurated in 1967 between the ruins of Crematoriums II and III Twenty-three plaques inscribed in all languages spoken at the camp commemorate the 1.1 million victims of the Auschwitz complex November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahThe entrance gate to the Auschwitz-I concentration camp is topped with the inscription “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”).  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahBeyond the camp’s perimeter lies the “former theater,” initially part of a Polish army barracks repurposed by the Nazis in spring 1940 It is now home to the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust part of the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Oświęcim.  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahThe Auschwitz-I detainee camp covers six hectares It initially consisted of 22 brick buildings approximately 16,000 detainees were held there November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahLocated between Blocks 10 (used for medical experiments on detainees) and 11 (a prison block) this courtyard was the site of thousands of executions by shooting and acts of torture carried out by the Nazis.  Gas Chamber at Auschwitz-I Crematorium November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahThe first gas chamber was installed by the Nazis in a former munitions depot converted into a morgue with cremation ovens It was used from autumn 1941 to December 1942.  Cremation Ovens at Auschwitz-I Crematorium November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahThis same building housed three cremation ovens installed in 1940 After the Auschwitz-Birkenau crematoriums became operational two of the three ovens were reconstructed post-war.  November 2024© Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la ShoahA new pathway to Auschwitz-I was inaugurated in 2023 After passing through a tunnel where the names of Auschwitz deportees are heard visitors emerge into the light before entering the former camp Olivier Mériel has been practicing analog black-and-white photography for 45 years His landscape photographs are black-and-white contact prints created with very long exposure times His work focuses on the interplay of shadow and light.  he accompanied two study trips involving high school students from Normandy (France) to the sites of Auschwitz-I and Auschwitz-II Birkenau camps nearly 150 students and teachers explored the remnants of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camp system as part of educational projects designed to encourage young people to reflect on the historical These study trips were organized as part of the «Memory of Auschwitz» initiative led by the Normandy Region and the Shoah Memorial in partnership with the Normandy Regional Academic Authority and the Regional Directorate for Food This article is related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals ShareSaveBusinessPolicy80 Years After Liberation Of Auschwitz-BirkenauByDr. Ewelina U. Ochab Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Dr Ewelina U Ochab is a Forbes contributor 03:13pm ESTShareSaveThe gates of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz The sign above them is "Arbeit Macht Frei"- .. More 'Work Makes You Free." (Photo credit: Keystone/GettyImages) marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau Over one million people were murdered there Soviet prisoners of war and people of other nationalities The camp was founded in early 1940 in response to the growing number of arrests and the overcrowding of prisons and other institutions across Europe Auschwitz was turned from a concentration camp into a death camp (extermination camp) for the purposes of “Endlösung der Judenfrage” (the final solution to the Jewish question) the camp significantly expanded to become a complex consisting of three parts: Auschwitz I Auschwitz II-Birkenau and Auschwitz III-Monowitz over a million people lost their lives in the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex before Soviet troops liberated the few survivors on January 27 harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief This year’s theme for the commemoration is “Holocaust Remembrance and Education for Dignity and Human Rights.” As emphasized by the UN the theme reflects “the critical relevance of Holocaust remembrance for the present where the dignity and human rights of our fellow global citizens are under daily attack The Holocaust shows what happens when hatred Despite important steps taken in the years following the Holocaust many of the promises to prevent and punish the crime of genocide (and other atrocity crimes) are unaddressed to this day only a few countries have introduced mechanisms that enable them to monitor early warning signs and risk factors to identify situations at risk of atrocity crimes only a few countries have adopted comprehensive atrocity prevention strategies to guide their responses such atrocity crimes as genocide are being perpetrated before our eyes with the international community always doing too little and too late in response only a few perpetrators are brought to account with the raging impunity sending the unimaginable message that one can get away with genocide prioritizes the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities as a matter of national security interest and ensures that foreign service officers receive adequate training in conflict and atrocity prevention It further ensures regular reporting on atrocity crimes in focus and the responses thereto Turning words into actions also includes ensuring that genocide and other atrocity crimes are criminalized local authorities are trained in investigating such crimes and leaving no space for impunity to flourish “never again” will remain an empty promise the last witnesses to the nightmare of Auschwitz-Birkenau the death factory where more than a million Jews from all over Europe were exterminated and the objects within it that allow historians and conservationists to learn the stories of individuals Their stories not only help to understand the tragedy of the victims who were exterminated here A boy in a navy uniform holds the hand of an elegant man in a tie if it weren’t for the Stars of David sewn onto their clothes the freight wagons they’ve just disembarked on the railway ramp and the armed German soldiers art historian and curator of the art collection at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum posits that this scene most likely happened and was immortalised in what she calls the most valuable extant piece of camp art: the Sketchbook from Auschwitz so much so that the SS truck registration numbers marked on the drawings match the documentation preserved in the camp We are on the site of the so-called old Jewish ramp at the place where the boy in the navy uniform got off the train The artist who drew this scene probably understood the importance of a document created at the risk of his life so he therefore hid it in a bottle in the foundation of one of the barracks Two old freight wagons stand on the restored tracks between the grounds of the Auschwitz railway station and the contemporary houses of the village of Brzezinka and whose demolished houses provided the materials used to build the Birkenau camp “This place certainly looks a bit different now if only because it has undergone some restoration work,” says Piotr Setkiewicz head of the Research Centre at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum “The wagons that are on the tracks today are also inauthentic in the sense that it is not at all certain that they would have been used to transport deportees to Auschwitz The old Jewish ramp is located about halfway between the Auschwitz and Birkenau camps It was here that from 1942 the Germans began to bring in large transports of Jews condemned to extermination It was also here that selections took place during which a nod of the SS doctor meant life or death 75-80 per cent of the Jews deported here from all over Europe were loaded onto trucks and taken straight to the gas chambers SS doctors were guided primarily by suitability for work in the camp,” underlines Jacek Lachendro a historian from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum stressing the dual function of the death camp and the labour camp people who looked young or were fit for work had a chance of survival and were sent to the camp women with small children and the elderly were automatically sent to death there were periods during the operation of the camp when there was less need for manpower and therefore those who were potentially fit for work were also sent to the gas chambers.” The first makeshift gas chambers were called red and white houses after the colour of the walls of the buildings from which the Germans had evicted the inhabitants and which they had adapted for their killing machine multilingual plaques remind us of the places of execution around 1.1 million Jews were deported to Auschwitz of whom barely 200,000 were deemed fit for work and registered in the camp The remainder were murdered in the gas chambers and in fact from the very beginning of its planning there was an intention to build a separate railway siding here which was to direct wagons from the old Jewish ramp directly into the camp,” says Piotr Setkiewicz no such work was undertaken until the autumn of 1943 due to material difficulties The ramp was finally completed in May 1944,” he adds pointing out that the rails used to lay the tracks connecting the two ramps were imported from the Soviet Union by a German company which used slave labour The completion of the new ramp coincided with the so-called Hungarian Action the deportation of more than 400,000 Jews from Hungary to Auschwitz this streamlined the process of both selection and directing those selected to the gas chambers it was also possible to go directly to the housing barracks whether in the women’s camp or the men’s camp “Various publications say that the Birkenau camp was an extermination camp while Auschwitz was only a labour camp,” points out Piotr Setkiewicz because the fate of the prisoners was the same prisoners were transferred from Birkenau to Auschwitz and vice versa Prisoners in both camps received the same striped uniforms The density of prisoners in the various rooms at Auschwitz and Birkenau was also similar While a single barrack in the Auschwitz Main Camp housed about 500-600 prisoners in Birkenau there were about 400 in a similar space The main difference was that the crematorium and gas chambers in Auschwitz ceased operating at the turn of 1942 and 1943 while in Birkenau they remained open practically until the end of the camp’s operation,” he adds Jacek Lachendro stresses that the camp complex was much larger than Auschwitz-Birkenau itself and throughout the period of the camp’s operation there were nearly 50 sub-camps set up in various locations Some were in the immediate vicinity of the main camp and steelworks in western Lesser Poland and Upper Silesia Most of the prisoners in these sub-camps in 1943 and 1944 were Jews sent to do heavy work where all sorts of small components were made for the Siemens company and for this reason precision mechanics The working conditions there were exceptionally good they were nightmarish and many of the Jewish prisoners sent there who were not accustomed to hard physical work in such harsh conditions underground Through the large windows in the tower above the entrance gate you can see almost the entire Birkenau camp Today it is rows of barracks and brick chimneys left over from the wooden structures that were already dismantled after the war the SS guards could see everything that happened on the ramp with an unhindered view the towers near the crematoria gave a good view of the prisoners sent to their deaths in the gas chambers as they descended the stairs to their place of execution Piotr Setkiewicz stresses that the SS men at Birkenau must have known what kind of place they were serving in and during the entire period of the camp’s operation around 8,000 guards passed through the place Only a few died while at the camp or of disease More lost their lives after being transferred to the Eastern Front All the guards were Germans or Volksdeutsche The only exception was a company of Ukrainians brought here in 1943 these quickly rebelled and were expelled from the camp after three months The SS men posted to Auschwitz could consider themselves lucky to be on quiet The team of “disinfectors” trained in the use of the poisonous Zyklon B gas released from pellets poured from cans through holes in the roof of the gas chambers “Those SS men who were on duty in the guard battalion more or less 80 per cent of the entire Auschwitz staff by the fact that they did not allow escapes also ultimately contributed to the mass deaths of prisoners,” Piotr Setkiewicz points out Documents and correspondence show that there was a plague of drunkenness among the SS which the commanders tried to combat by managing the soldiers’ free time Sports and cultural events were organised in the camp sometimes entire villas with a garden and servants Some also tried to enrich themselves illegally by stealing money and valuables taken from prisoners that formally belonged to the Reich There were investigations into this and even some sentences were handed down some members of the Auschwitz-Birkenau staff answered for their crimes the Allies had no problems in issuing and executing death sentences on these people Some 700 of them were extradited to Poland Due to limited contact between guards and prisoners it was difficult for witnesses to identify them they were sentenced to one to two years in prison “for belonging to a criminal organisation Most left for the Federal Republic of Germany after serving their sentences remember that courage is the most important thing in life’ helps to tell the story of Bernard Świerczyna a Polish Auschwitz prisoner and member of the camp resistance movement Prisoners employed in the offices found books of fairy tales that most likely belonged to murdered Jewish children Illustrations and texts were copied and illegally sent home to maintain relationships with relatives or to leave behind mementos telling the story of a hare whose home was taken away by a wolf but rescued thanks to the help of other animals was made by Bernard Świerczyna for his son Felicjan the booklet was handed to the boy’s mother without a word by an anonymous SS man after Świerczyna had already been hanged in the last execution carried out at the camp on 30 December 1944 After an unsuccessful escape from Auschwitz he and several other prisoners were caught and More than 140,000 Poles were registered at Auschwitz Setkiewicz points out that this was a significantly higher mortality rate than among prisoners in other German concentration camps which was probably already due to the way Auschwitz was designed where a stationary crematorium was first put into operation that in 1943 the conditions of Aryan prisoners the Germans allowed food parcels to be sent to the camp Jews were not allowed to take advantage of this privilege “We also know from prisoners’ accounts that there were many more motives reasons or ways in which one could survive being a Pole in the camp,” says Piotr Setkiewicz It could also have been the help of colleagues or participation in the resistance movement survival in Auschwitz was most often decided by chance Even a Polish prisoner in a good kommando could have contracted typhus at any time which was a very common disease in the camp Then he would either die or be murdered by the SS.” Despite the terror and terrible conditions at Auschwitz although relatively few prisoners knew about it such as the disappearance of a particularly cruel kapo or the escape of fellow prisoners The most important organisation of this kind was the military conspiracy centred around Rotmistrz Witold Pilecki One should also remember the leftist underground One of the most important achievements of the conspirators was the collection and transmission outside the camp of information and data on what was happening inside registered or dying prisoners or production were smuggled outside the camp and thanks to the conspirators’ networks and the work of couriers and discovered members of the underground were subjected to cruel investigations With the first transport of women to Auschwitz in March 1942 999 German women prisoners from Ravensbrück were brought in to form a women’s camp An identical number of young Jewish women from Slovakia arrived on the same day the camp authorities did not seem to know what to do with such a large number of women It was difficult to find suitable work for them all It was not until the summer that most of the already 17,000 women prisoners were transferred to the so-called Frauen-Lager (German: women’s camp) in Birkenau where they were employed in construction and agricultural work especially those with knowledge of foreign languages and medical staff were sent to the camp hospitals “The women who were incarcerated in the camp underwent physical changes very quickly,” says Teresa Wątor-Cichy of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum They were losing something that is an element of beauty Female prisoners said that they stood in a group as colleagues who had known each other for many years and suddenly could not recognise each other Working beyond their strength in the camp and the minimal amounts of food caused them to lose weight and therefore the possibility to wash themselves caused their skin to become grey and rough Another element that was of great concern to the female prisoners were the changes related to physiology: the stoppage of menstruation the traumatic experiences they went through and witnessed,” she adds The Museum’s collection includes a dozen or so portraits of female prisoners drawn by Zofia Stępień-Bator Agnieszka Sieradzka emphasises that in this way the humiliated deprived of identity and ailing female prisoners regained not only their beauty religious or sexual groups and minorities were victims of the racist policies of the Third Reich 21,000 members of the Roma and related Sinti communities were registered starvation and later their planned extermination meant that only one in seven of them made it out alive after the camp’s liquidation An unusually high mortality rate was also recorded among the approximately 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war brought to the camp were not registered but were sent to their deaths straight away Only a few of the 12,000 registered survived The prisoners of war brought to Auschwitz after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941 were subjected to torture assigned to the hardest labour and treated worse than other groups of prisoners Their situation began to gradually improve from mid-1942 when the Germans needed more hands to work registered Russian prisoners of war were given a number on scraps of cloth to sew onto their uniforms it turned out that many were dying and the others were taking parts or whole garments together with the numbers from the dead which caused confusion in the camp registers Hence the idea of tattooing the numbers on the left side of the chest did the Germans start systematically tattooing numbers on the left forearm of all registered prisoners whom we would now call Jehovah’s Witnesses They ended up in the concentration camps because of their deep commitment to their beliefs They had the possibility of regaining their freedom in exchange for a written renunciation of their religious principles It is extremely difficult to ascertain exactly how many homosexuals were sent to the camp According to Bogdan Piętka of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Jacek Lachendro points out that German researcher Rainer Hoffschildt puts the number at over 130 The inaccuracies are due to the ambiguous marking of this category of prisoner Some received pink triangles signifying imprisonment under the paragraph condemning homosexuals but there were also those who might have received red triangles intended for political prisoners or green triangles signifying criminals historians’ research suggests that these people were among the most mistreated groups the unknown author has drawn a boy in a navy uniform who is being forcibly dragged away from an elegant man in a hat by an SS man The boy and the man helplessly extend their hands to each other The child finds himself on the same side as an elderly moustachioed Jew with a Star of David sewn on Knowing the double role of Auschwitz-Birkenau one can guess that the boy and the older man were facing immediate death Republished on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz The article was produced as part of the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Eastern Europe College project funded by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2022” The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland The consequences of Russia’s invasion are visible not only in Ukraine The Kremlin has set off or exploited a series of crises that face most European countries New thinking is needed in policies towards Russia in whatever form it will take after the war Ukraine’s suffering goes well beyond the front line With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine we now see our western values under siege whether we consciously recognise it or not The invasion by Russian forces of Ukraine from the north south and east – with the initial aim to take the capital Kyiv – has changed our region The situation with Russian threats towards Ukraine once again illustrates the high level of instability in our region Only a year ago we witnessed the second Nagorno-Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan It took at least 5,000 lives and significantly shifted the geopolitics in the South Caucuses This special issue aims to honour the plight of Belarusians whose democratic choice made in August 2020 was shamelessly snubbed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka a lot of work still remains for this country And this is why Ukraine’s story is incomplete 30 years after the fall of the Soviet Union Our societies are more polarised than ever before which makes them more susceptible to disinformation The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed limitations and weaknesses in nearly all countries around the world volatility and the relationship between Russia and the West The Black Sea region is quickly becoming a geopolitical battleground which is gaining the interest of major powers regional players and smaller countries – and the stakes are only getting higher This issue is dedicated to the 10 year anniversary of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership as well as the 30 years since the 1989 revolutions in Central Europe The consequences of the emerging multipolar world This issue takes a special look at the role and responsibility of the public intellectual in Central and Eastern Europe today In the eastern parts of the European continent 1918 is remembered not only as the end of the First World War but also saw the emergence of newly-independent states and the rise of geopolitical struggles which are felt until this day that Belarus remains isolated from the West and very static in its transformation The Summer 2018 issue of New Eastern Europe tackles the complexity of para-states in the post-Soviet space Poland — The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops is being marked on Monday at the site of the former death camp a ceremony that is widely being treated as the last major observance that any notable number of survivors will be able to attend Nazi German forces murdered some 1.1 million people at the site in southern Poland which was under German occupation during World War II Most of the victims were Jews killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers gay people and others who were targeted for elimination in the Nazi racial ideology some wearing blue-and-white striped scarves that recall their prison uniforms including many Poles who resisted the occupation of their country They were joined by Polish President Andrzej Duda whose nation lost 6 million citizens during the war He carried a candle and walked with Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum director Piotr Cywinski on whose land — occupied by Nazi Germans at that time — the Germans built this extermination industry and this concentration camp are today the guardians of memory," Duda said to reporters afterward He spoke of the "unimaginable pain" inflicted on so many people and described the dozens of survivors attending the observances Monday as "the last survivors coming to this site." the Germans murdered 6 million Jews from all over Europe annihilating two-thirds of Europe's Jews and one-third of all Jews worldwide 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day officials and others were pausing to remember "The Holocaust was a collective endeavor by thousands of ordinary people utterly consumed by the hatred of difference," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement "That is the hatred we stand against today and it is a collective endeavor for all of us to defeat it." world leaders and royalty will join with elderly camp survivors organizers are choosing to make them the center of the observances Among the leaders expected to attend are Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Germany has never sent both of its highest state representatives to the observances before It is a sign of Germany's continued commitment to take responsibility for the nation's crimes even amid a growing far-right movement that would like to forget French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also attend while Britain's King Charles III will also be there Russian representatives were in the past central guests at the anniversary observances in recognition of the Soviet liberation of the camp on Jan and the huge losses suffered by Soviet forces in the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany But they have not been welcome since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 Become an NPR sponsor This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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The Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial takes visitors into the darkest chapter of German history This extermination camp was established in Germany-occupied Poland and at least 1.1 million people The Soviet Army liberated the camp on January 27 DW takes you through one of the world's most infamous sites The Soviet Army liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland on January 27 About 7,000 prisoners were there when the Soviets arrived Those people had been left behind — too weak or sick to move when Nazi officers forced nearly 60,000 prisoners to march west as the Soviets approached More than 1.1 million people were murdered at the Nazi camp complex Editor's note: This gallery contains graphic images '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" Thousands marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau Wednesday in the annual March of the Living – an event that resonated with deep historical and present-day meaning. Full Story, Photos, Video Thousands marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau Wednesday in the annual March of the Living – an event that resonated with deep historical and present-day meaning. The march, marking 80 years since the liberation of the German Nazi death camps, honored the memory of over one million Jews murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau, while also highlighting the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of renewed trauma since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel. Among the 8,000 participants were 80 Holocaust survivors – many visiting for what may be their final time – and 10 former hostages recently freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Relatives of Israeli hostages also took part in the roughly 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) march to Birkenau, the largest Nazi German extermination camp. They were joined by bereaved families, young people and delegations from 40 countries. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, leading Israel’s delegation, was welcomed by Polish President Andrzej Duda at the Auschwitz Memorial site, where both leaders delivered statements ahead of the march. Distinguished individuals and government officials, including Rabbi Lau, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, the President of the State of Israel, and the President of the State of Poland, are present. A ceremony of words of thanks to hashem, and stories of miracles from Holocaust survivors with emotional songs and prayers, the blowing of the shofar, and chapters of Psalms. Honoring the event with their presence were the directors and organizers of the event, the Shluchim Rabbi Sholom Ber Stambler – Warsaw, Rabbi Eliezer Gurary – Krakow and Rabbi Rafael Popack – Katowice. A post shared by COLlive (@colliveofficial) Sign up for the COLlive Daily News Roundup and never miss a story Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()) Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()) Public access to information is a key component of UNESCO's commitment to transparency and its accountability Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed the GEM Report is an editorially independent report Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals BERLIN — World leaders and dozens of Holocaust survivors gathered Monday at the former site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation by Soviet troops at the end of World War II The ceremony is regarded as the likely last major observance of Auschwitz's liberation that any notable number of survivors will be able to attend Among those who traveled to the site was 86-year-old Tova Friedman who was 6 years old when she was among the 7,000 people liberated from Auschwitz on Jan She flew to Poland this month from her home in New Jersey "The world has become toxic," Friedman told the Associated Press There may be another terrible destruction." Nazi German forces murdered more than 1 million people at Auschwitz a Nazi-run death camp built in a region of southern Poland under German occupation during World War II killed on an industrial scale in gas chambers gay people and disabled people for elimination President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East who played a key role in negotiating this month's Gaza truce agreement between Israel and Hamas father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Trump's choice as ambassador to France Dozens of other leaders and dignitaries attended Monday's ceremony Britain's King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron but all were asked by organizers not to speak at the ceremony they were requested to listen and observe as they toured the Auschwitz grounds which now operates as a memorial site whose goal is to inform visitors about the atrocities that happened at the site Poland's President Andrzej Duda remembered the victims of the camp in a television address saying his country has a special role in preserving the memory of Auschwitz on whose land occupied by Nazi Germany the Germans built this extermination industry and concentration camp," said Duda At the ceremony on the former grounds of Auschwitz laid a wreath at the so-called "Death Wall," where shooting executions took place Some of the survivors wore blue-and-white striped scarves the colors of the prisoner uniforms they were forced to wear at the camp In several interviews with German media, Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented that it was "depressing how many people in Germany hardly know anything about the Holocaust." Each state in Germany has control over how the Holocaust is taught in schools His comments came days after billionaire Elon Musk joined via video link a political rally organized by the far-right Alternative for Germany Party telling thousands of party supporters that Germany places too much emphasis on "past guilt." "Children should not be held responsible for the sins of their parents let alone their great-grandparents," Musk said to cheers A day after the political rally, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in a post on X that calls at the rally "about 'Great Germany' and 'the need to forget German guilt for Nazi crimes' sounded all too familiar and ominous Especially only hours before the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz." In an appearance on Germany's public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk vice president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany said of the horrors Nazi Germany perpetuated at Auschwitz: "We must not allow commemoration to be 'enough.' " KRAKOW/BERLIN – On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp the World Jewish Congress (WJC) travelled to the site alongside a historic delegation of Jewish community representatives and leaders of German-based businesses with historical ties to Nazi-era activities Ahead of the formal commemoration events held at the former Nazi camp the WJC organized dedicated programming to provide the CEOs of Bayer AG and BASF SE with a profound opportunity to explore the lessons of the Holocaust and reaffirm their commitment to combating hate today Prior to the Monday afternoon commemoration event and representatives from Bayer and BASF visited the site of Monowitz (Auschwitz III) This solemn visit acknowledged the historical connections of these companies to these infamous locations and emphasized their collective commitment to learning from this history to ensure a future free of hate Farben—a conglomerate forged in 1925 out of several chemical firms including Farbenfabriken vorm Bayer & Co and BASF—constructed and operated the Buna-Werke factory at Monowitz This facility for synthetic rubber was planned to be a critical part of the Nazi machine but did not begin production during the war Building the facility came at a devastating human cost: tens of thousands of Jewish and other forced laborers suffered and perished due to the inhumane conditions often overshadowed by the more widely known Auschwitz-Birkenau remains a haunting reminder of the intersection of corporate complicity and genocide met with both CEOs and reflected on the significance of the moment: "The former I.G Farben site at Monowitz represents a tragic intersection of industrial ambition and human suffering we stand together—Jewish communities and corporate leaders alike—not only to remember the victims but to chart a path forward rooted in responsibility and a shared commitment to a future where education about the Holocaust is readily available to all we can make this grim historical reality a more relevant guidepost for young people today." The program at Monowitz included a moment of reflection and a historical overview connecting the delegation with the stories of those who suffered and died there It also highlighted the forced labor system that sustained the Nazi regime and underscored the importance of Holocaust education as a safeguard against societal hate the CEOs of Bayer and BASF reflected on their companies’ histories and reaffirmed their common commitments and responsibility to combat antisemitism and uphold human rights: “I am thankful for the opportunity to take part in today’s commemoration ceremony at the invitation of the World Jewish Congress This year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day holds profound significance marking eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz and it is particularly meaningful that we were able to attend alongside survivors Their invaluable contributions can never be replaced and it is our shared moral responsibility to ensure their memories are never lost We are also grateful for the work of the Finkelstein Foundation founded by Bayer to foster a culture of remembrance and reflection we must ensure that the voices of the past continue to resonate in our actions—today and in the future,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson Auschwitz bears witness to what humans are capable of we have a responsibility to preserve the memory of what happened and ensure that history is never repeated on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the countless other victims whose lives were taken in the name of the inhuman ideology of the Nazi regime We pay our respects to the victims and to the survivors who have been forever scarred by places like this and the atrocities caused by humankind I would like to thank the World Jewish Congress for the invitation to this important day.” visited the site of the Schindler Factory in Krakow together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to learn about its historical significance and the broader impact of Nazi-era exploitation of Jewish labor “Looking into these cruelest human abysses is an eternal reminder to us: We bear responsibility We realize what part our predecessors played in these crimes we recognize what responsibility we have for our society We are deeply humbled and honored by the invitation of the World Jewish Congress and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to Schindler’s Enamel Factory Oskar Schindler still serves us today as a shining example of morally responsible entrepreneurial action in the darkest times Evonik and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation are working closely together Evonik – together with its long-term partner Borussia Dortmund soccer club – organizes for its employees an annual educational tour to Auschwitz the visit is the bedrock of work by Evonik to combat antisemitism and right-wing extremism.” Evonik's connection to Nazi-era activities traces back to its predecessor Through Degesch (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schädlingsbekämpfung GmbH) a joint holding company of Degussa and I.G the pesticide deployed in Nazi gas chambers Degussa also utilized enslaved and forced labor The delegation capped off the day by joining Holocaust survivors and global leaders at the official Auschwitz-Birkenau 80th anniversary commemoration ceremony They were met there by Siemens CEO Roland Busch who joined the solemn afternoon event The World Jewish Congress (WJC) marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau with a series of solemn commemorations and impactful initiatives that showcased and underscored the organization’s unwavering commitment to preserving the painful memories of the Shoah for generations to come We were honored to stand alongside Holocaust survivors and corporate leaders in Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow throughout the week leading up to International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January 2025) to ensure that the memory of the Shoah remains a guiding force in confronting contemporary hate and top organizational leaders as well as more than 40 members of WJC's Elevate initiative from 24 countries across six continents The delegation engaged with survivors and addressed key issues shaping the Jewish future Conversations focused on preserving Holocaust memory post-October 7 massacre and the urgent need to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish heritage the group marked Shabbat with a dinner hosted by the Jewish Community of Kraków Holocaust survivor Jona Laks shared her testimony Elevate members participated in breakout discussions on key Jewish issues led by WJC experts including Ernest Herzog and Jewish Diplomatic Corps members Ira Rosensaft and Alex Ryvchin The next day featured a private screening of The Last Twins of Auschwitz followed by a discussion led by Professor Dina Porat on the Holocaust legacy after the October 7 terror attacks was led by award-winning author and Holocaust historian Laurence Rees In an historic step toward acknowledging the role of corporate complicity in the Holocaust WJC organized a visit to Monowitz (Auschwitz III) with the CEOs of Bayer AG and BASF SE constructed and facility to produce synthetic rubber and fuel using Jewish slave labor.At this site the executives confronted their companies’ histories and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting antisemitism and upholding human rights today.BASF CEO Dr Markus Kamieth reflected on the moral weight of the visit: “With the knowledge of the past we have a responsibility to preserve the memory of what happened and ensure that history is never repeated.”Bayer CEO Bill Anderson acknowledged the company’s duty to remember: “Together we must ensure that the voices of the past continue to resonate in our actions—today and in the future.”Additionally Evonik leadership visited the Schindler Factory in Krakow together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation reinforcing the company’s commitment to Holocaust education and acknowledging Nazi-era crimes.Siemens CEO Roland Busch met the group at Auschwitz-Birkenau for the main ceremony a global initiative to combat Holocaust denial and distortion sports clubs and leaders of industry showed their support to ensure the memory of the Holocaust is never forgotten This year’s campaign featured the illumination of iconic landmarks including the European Commission headquarters in Brussels and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin By projecting the #WeRemember message or lighting buildings in yellow these striking visual tributes signified solidarity against rising antisemitism more than 4 million social media users visited the site The campaign continues to guide social media platforms to meaningfully address Holocaust distortion and misinformation and to ensure that younger generations engage with accurate and accessible Holocaust educational resources Freed hostage Agam Berger practices before her performance for March of the Living on the 130-year-old violin that survived the Holocaust and gifted to her after she was freed from Hamas captivity in February When Israel marks Yom Hashoah in two weeks freed hostage Agam Berger will perform onstage at the March of the Living’s annual ceremony on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau She will play a 130-year-old violin that survived the Holocaust and was brought to Israel gifted to her after her release in January during the second ceasefire agreement a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri whose parents were murdered in the Oct “Standing on the stage at Birkenau is a profound and moving mission for me as she plays a violin that survived the Holocaust is a powerful reminder of music’s ability to connect generations and to preserve the stories that must never be forgotten,” Weiss said in the statement bereaved families and residents of the Gaza border communities will take part in the global March of the Living the Menomadin Foundation announced on Friday The foundation works in collaboration with the World Zionist Organization and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum to strengthen Israel’s social and economic resilience Menomadin Foundation founder and president and World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel They will be marching with the message: “Never Again is Now.” This year’s march will be led by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog together with Polish President Andrzej Duda and will also include 80 Holocaust survivors from Israel and around the world.  7 and the rise of antisemitism worldwide remind us how important it is to preserve our Jewish and Israeli identity and work for a better world free of hatred and antisemitism We will continue to educate about the Holocaust and to combat antisemitism on all fronts,” Shmuel Rosenman chairman of the International March of the Living “As we mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz we face the memory of the Holocaust not only as a historical legacy but as a moral call to action in the present and a foundation for shaping the future IDF wounded and heads of authorities joining the March of the Living on behalf of the World Zionist Organization reflects the strength of the Zionist spirit — the one that rose from the ashes and builds life The presence of the president of the State of Israel and the president of Poland at this event underscores the shared responsibility to preserve memory fight antisemitism and educate future generations on the lessons of the past,” said Hagoel in the statement “This is not just a commitment to the memory of the victims — it is a commitment to life.” 7 delegation will include more than a dozen freed hostages many joined by family members; family members of hostages still in captivity either being held alive or whose bodies are being kept by Hamas; and the family members of individuals murdered on Oct “I’ve lived a very difficult life and survived such hard times I hear what those who returned are saying about the hostages and it’s like a second Holocaust,” delegation participant Michael Kuperstein grandfather of Gaza hostage Bar Kuperstein fighting today so that all my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have better lives I want all the hostages to return home so we can get our lives back.” Copyright © 2025 · eJewishPhilanthropy · All Rights Reserved The philanthropy news you need to stay up to date Enter your email to gain access to our exclusive contentDon’t worry if you are already subscribed you won’t receive our newsletters twice Images from www.auschwitz.org may be used only in publications relating to the history of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau or the activities of the Auschwitz Memorial Their use must not tarnish the good reputation of the victims of KL Auschwitz Any interference in the integrity of the images – including cropping or graphic processing – is prohibited The use of the images for commercial purposes requires the Museum’s approval and information about the publication Publishers undertake to indicate the authors and origin of the images: www.auschwitz.org as well as to inform the Museum of the use of the images (press@auschwitz.org) national and world events through Deseret News archives Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland As many as 1.5 million people died there at the hands of the Nazis stunned Soviet troops found only 5,200 starving and tortured prisoners alive breathing their last breaths even as freedom finally came survivors gathered on the anniversary until there were just a few left who had lived through the horrors Many gathered today as well — 80 years after the liberation — survivors wearing imitations of the striped prisoners’ uniforms; others waving Israeli flags praying and stamping their feet against the cold Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the concentration camps and how to mourn and remember the atrocities of WWII: “Holocaust victims mourned at Auschwitz and beyond” “Jews remember WWII Auschwitz victims” “On Holocaust Remembrance Day, don’t forget the responsibility that comes with remembering” “Leaders mark Auschwitz liberation 70 years on without Putin” “Auschwitz-Birkenau — Death camps in Poland help keep Holocaust history alive” “Marking Auschwitz liberation anniversary, Europe’s Jews fear anti-Semitism’s rise” “Remembering the lessons of the Holocaust” For information on Auschwitz-Birkenau, visit the museum website highlight the enduring importance of Holocaust education and underscore the unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism and hatred The WJC leadership will be joined by a group of survivors and organized and funded by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation and its Auschwitz 80 Committee This collective gathering reaffirms the enduring responsibility to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate worldwide former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide they will review innovative approaches to regulating online hate speech and protecting vulnerable communities As part of the World Jewish Congress’s #WeRemember campaign a powerful global initiative to combat Holocaust denial and distortion communities and institutions around the world are coming together to ensure the memory of the Holocaust continues to resonate marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau will feature extraordinary displays of unity and remembrance including the illumination of iconic landmarks in countries from Germany to Israel these striking visual tributes will honor the victims of the Holocaust and demonstrate solidarity against rising antisemitism In addition to these symbolic displays, the WJC will expand its collaboration with UNESCO and TikTok to connect millions of users with verified educational resources, including aboutholocaust.org. More than four million social media users visited the site just last year the campaign continues to leverage the capacities of social media platforms to address Holocaust distortion and misinformation ensuring that younger generations engage with accurate and accessible Holocaust education Special content and survivor stories will amplify the voices of survivors and emphasize the enduring importance of remembrance By combining innovative digital strategies with visible #WeRemember underscores the necessity of remembrance as resistance to hatred This year’s campaign encourages governments and individuals to join this collective effort ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust remain a cornerstone in the fight against bigotry and intolerance You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More The United Nations General Assembly designated Jan the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau as International Holocaust Remembrance Day a time to remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.  it is important to recognize the critical lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honor the survivors women and children were killed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi concentration and extermination camp during WWII Established by Germans in 1940 after Oswiecem was annexed to the Third Reich by the Nazis “Memory” one can read on the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum’s website “is not something that is acquired once and stays forever The moment that the last eyewitnesses and survivors pass away we have to work together to build on that which remains: the testimonies of those former prisoners.” Speaking to L’Osservatore Romano’s Saba Kidane the Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum reiterated the crucial role of the survivors who alongside world leaders gathered to mark the anniversary of the liberation will highlight the need for remembrance and responsibility Q: How will you commemorate the event this year and how will it be different from other years we will be certainly focused completely on the survivors that will be with us There will be no political speeches at all And we will pay tribute to the victims with candles in light of the current situation in the world I think that remembrance is perhaps one of the few “helps” that we have to understand our position today remembrance is something very close to the experience Survivors are ageing and will eventually no longer be with us How can we ensure that what happened here does not become just another terrible story in history I think we have to understand fully what our common effort after the war in order to avoid such tragedies in Europe at least: the creation of the European Union a sort of answer in order to show that the coexistence among different groups even more a cooperation between those groups are a way The travelling exhibition “Auschwitz: not long ago Is this something that is aimed at people who cannot make it to Auschwitz nothing will be the same as a visit to the authentic place we have to reach also those who cannot come for different reasons people who cannot travel for different reasons And I think this public must also have access to this history But we are trying also to reach those people who cannot travel to Poland we have provided to those who want to -- schools or to families or to associations -- a possibility to be guided online But by a normal guide who is walking on the site who is showing everything through the internet who can enter into a discussion with those who have some questions or remarks so we try also to go with our message everywhere where it is possible The Netherlands recently decided to release the names of hundreds of thousands of suspected Nazi collaborators Do you think that this is a helpful way to remember I think that remembrance does not touch only the issue of the victims because the victims are not the anthropological main problem They were transported to Auschwitz and they were killed the main anthropological problem is the perpetrators We have to work on those issues also in order to answer What was the impact of the German state authority on this question Hitler needed only six years between arrival in his position to start the Second World War and he didn’t have social media or internet at that time So I think that the question of the perpetrators or their collaborators is extremely important to be analyzed So we are a little bit in a lack of sources it’s not something that we can not try to do would you say that it is correct to release these names so I don’t want to give my opinion on this very case because I don’t know the details but I think that I don’t see any reason not to not show personal responsibility in those crimes (The interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity) Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here On 27 January 1945, prisoners at the main camp of Auschwitz watched as the soldiers of the First Ukrainian Front came and opened the gates under the mocking words of "Arbeit Macht Frei" ("Work Makes Freedom") This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the most notorious war-time concentration camp in the world Auschwitz was established in 1940 when Nazi Germany opened a new camp complex in Oświęcim in southern Poland to hold prisoners What began as a political prison of Polish nationals evolved into a death factory of Europe's Jews and the name Auschwitz would soon become synonymous with genocide and the Holocaust little was known about the camp's activities until one man decided to risk his life to find out a dissident who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time But to a small group of an underground resistance group against Nazi Germany a husband and father to two children and a Catholic "Witold Pilecki was one of the founders of the resistance movement organisation called the Secret Polish Army – TAP, for short," said Dr Piotr Setkiewicz, historian at Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum "When TAP had news of the new Auschwitz camp discussions began about sending someone there to find out what was happening there Pilecki agreed to take on this task." "It should be emphasised that at that time no one in TAP knew what Auschwitz was," Setkiewicz continued "It was only then that the first telegrams informing about the deaths of people deported in the first transport from Warsaw began to arrive." on a September day in 1940 he arranged to be in his sister-in-law's apartment in Warsaw's Żoliborz neighbourhood during a police raid and used the Jewish identity of a deceased Polish soldier to ensure he was arrested Pilecki was marched through the gates inscribed with the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" where he would spend the next two and a half years infiltrating the camp and sending evidence to warn the world about its activities hunger and risks of death like any other prisoner The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum will be holding a day of memorial ceremony on 27 January 2025 with the attendance of worldwide dignitaries. International visitors will be able watch from a special tent area on this day; information about public access to the event can be found on 80.auschwitz.org He wrote reports that were smuggled out of the camp he inspired an underground movement that sabotaged facilities and assassinated SS officers while arranging for contraband food and medicine to be brought in his family had little idea about his military activity "We had a pretty pale idea that Dad was doing some important tasks but I suppose she didn't know the details of Dad's tasks either," said Pilecki's daughter "The conspiratorial requirements were that for the safety of both Dad and ourselves Pilecki highlighted the reality of Auschwitz and requested that Allied Forces attack the camp Although the documents did reach some of the top commanders they were mostly ignored since Poland wasn't a military priority Even on the day of the camp's eventual liberation the Red Army only became aware of the camp by chance after freeing nearby city of Krakow • The ancient civilisation that inspired US democracy • Why humans are drawn to the ends of the Earth •  Pakistan's lost city of 40,000 people Although Pilecki's testimonies did not directly lead to the camp's liberation they did create the first mass conspiracy about the conditions there He was the first to bring firsthand information on the tortures and the deaths of prisoners to the world three years before Allied commanders officially recognised the camp's existence It took another two years after his escape for the surviving prisoners of Auschwitz to be rescued out of a total of almost 1.1 million people brought to the camp forced to sign a confession as a traitor and was secretly executed in jail in 1948 Mentions of Witold Pilecki were forbidden and the reports and documents of his actions were destroyed or filed away It's important to understand that the site of the former camp – today a Memorial and Museum – is a preserved authentic space that bears witness to one of the greatest tragedies in human history We urge all visitors to approach their visit with the utmost respect their visit will become a moment of reflection and learning We encourage people to take the time to educate themselves on the history of Auschwitz before their visit As Pilecka-Optułowicz and her brother Andrej listened to reports of Pilecki's trial and execution on the radio they grew up being told their father was a traitor and enemy of the state It wasn't until the 1990s that they found out their father had been a hero all along Pilecka-Optułowicz has memories of her father being a kind but stern man "I remember very clearly the many conversations I had with my father about nature – how the chain of life works how important all the creatures in that chain are," she said "He also showed me the world in a friendly and loving way and told me how to behave in different situations… he instilled in us that punctuality and truthfulness were particularly important I have carried these lessons all my life." Soviet Communism ended in Poland in 1989 and Pilecki's real story was finally told. Books were published about him, streets were named after him and his story was taught in Polish schools. A Pilecki Institute was established to research 20th-Century Polish political history and honour those who gave aid to Polish nationals in difficult times and Pilecki's story forms part of the exhibits at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum the Museum will be opening a new exhibition section dedicated to Polish citizens in AuschwitzA tour of the museum is an emotionally intense experience; a raw account of the cruelty human beings are capable of against each other Dorota Kuczyńska has been working at the museum as a guide and press officer for 27 years and finds her role both challenging and emotionally taxing Her job involves not just guiding and storytelling meeting and listening to friends and relatives of previous prisoners who lost family members here and the subject matter we address during visits is incredibly demanding and sombre," she said she adds that it has many rewarding moments "Seeing young people who not only listen to the history of the past but also engage in discussions about the present and how to build a world based on respect empathy and truth gives us hope for humanity and motivates us to continue this vital work." 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Explore the tiny biodegradable pacemaker for newbornsResearchers have created a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that does not require open surgery to implant. Why you might be younger than you think you areThere is a difference between our chronological and biological age, which we have the power to control. Malaysian trade minister on US tariffsMalaysia's minister Zafrul Aziz will be representing the ASEAN bloc in its negotiations with the US. You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. The World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Thursday debuted a powerful new exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, showcasing original artistic interpretations of Holocaust memory created by students from 13 schools across 10 European countries. The works reflect how the Holocaust resonates with young people today and how its lessons can shape their understanding of justice, tolerance and human dignity. Participating students, from both Jewish and non-Jewish schools, studied Holocaust history through virtual or in-person visits to memorial sites—including Auschwitz itself—and were then invited to express their insights through original artworks such as paintings, sculptures, digital designs and written narratives. Each artwork is a personal response and interpretation of the legacy of the Holocaust, through the eyes of the next generation. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said the initiative is a vital bridge between history and moral conscience. “The Holocaust is not only a matter of remembrance—it is a call to moral responsibility,” Amb. Lauder said. “By empowering young people to express what they learned through art, we are not only teaching them about the past, we are equipping them to confront the challenges of today. This is how remembrance becomes personal, and how memory becomes action.” Sara Friedman, CEO of WJC Israel, said at the exhibition’s opening at Auschwitz, “This exhibition reminds us that Holocaust education must go beyond dates and facts. It must reach hearts and shape values. These students have turned memory into meaning. They are becoming the new storytellers, the new witnesses.” 27 January 2025 will mark the 80ᵉ anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration and extermination camp. On the occasion of the International Day dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust more than 250 students from middle schools in Paris and the Paris region joined together at UNESCO for a significant and meaningful event.  reaffirming the importance of education in building an inclusive and tolerant future Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France and Chairman of Mission Libération He explained to the audience that the aim of the commemoration was to raise awareness among young people of the importance of remembering past tragedies and passing on a universal message of peace and freedom Mrs Beate Klarsfeld and Mr Serge Klarsfeld, UNESCO Honorary Ambassadors for Holocaust Education and the Prevention of Genocide then shared their personal stories as survivors and their commitment to the fight against impunity for those responsible for the Nazi Final Solution They emphasised the need to prevent anti-Semitism a struggle for which they have now become symbols The students then watched the film “The Most Precious of Cargoes” by Michel Hazanavicius a fictional account that reflects the reality of the Shoah and offers a perspective on the horror of the Holocaust the students had a discussion with Florence Gastaud co-founder of the production company “Les Compagnons du cinéma” and producer of the film “The Most Precious of Cargoes” by using the expression ‘Heartless’ to refer to the Jews explores a form of universality that allows parallels to be drawn with other conflicts and stigmatization around the world The great hope of this film lies in its power to raise awareness for future generations against all forms of racism a student from the Paul Éluard middle school asked an essential question: How can we pay tribute to the victims of genocide today?Florence replied that it was above all a question of immersing ourselves in their stories so as to preserve them and pass them on to future generations.  Memory work is about rediscovering for yourself the history of people who may have lived near you It’s about reconstructing their journeys so that their stories are never forgotten Emeritus Director of Research at the CNRS and Chairman of the Scientific and Orientation Council of Mission Libération gave the students an analysis of the history of the Shoah and “The Most Precious of Cargoes” provides an account of the atrocities of the extermination of the Jews in Europe avoiding excessive violence and encouraging reflection He also stressed the importance of words in analysing reality and understanding the specific nature of genocide as the systematic extermination of an entire people The students questioned Denis Peschanski about the interpretation of certain elements of the film and its role as a testimony to a period of inhumanity He reminded them that the younger generations had a crucial role to play in passing on this memory and preserving peace This UNESCO Campus was an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the tragic lessons of history to strengthen their commitment to the values of tolerance and humanism and to take a full part in the commemoration of the Holocaust arming themselves to combat all the forms of violence and hate that still threaten our societies today This event was made possible in collaboration with Mission Libération and with the support of StudioCanal whose son Yotam was held hostage in Gaza and killed there by the Israeli army whose 9-year-old daughter was released from Hamas captivity in November embrace during the International March of the Living at Auschwitz (JTA) — Ten released and rescued Israeli hostages will travel to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp site on Thursday for March of the Living on Yom Hashoah March of the Living, the annual pilgrimage to the Holocaust sites in Poland and then to Israel,  sees thousands of participants march alongside Holocaust survivors to memorialize those lost. Last year, 23 survivors and relatives of those killed in the Oct 2023 attack of Hamas on Israel also took part in the march the 10 freed hostages will accompany Israeli President Isaac Herzog Families of hostages and those killed in the Oct. 7 attack will also be present along with around 80 Holocaust survivors, ages 80 to 97. Survivors will include Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, who was freed from Buchenwald as a child and served as Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi This year’s march comes on the heels of a report released by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, known as the Claims Conference, which found that half of Holocaust survivors alive today will be dead within 6 years a finding that has renewed urgency to preserve the stories of survivors Herzog will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda to discuss efforts to free the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward American Jews need independent news they can trust At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S rising antisemitism and polarized discourse This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up Copyright © 2025 The Forward Association To mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust and commemorate this important anniversary in collaboration with the Normandy Region and the Shoah Memorial hosts the photo exhibition Beyond the Abyss of the Auschwitz-I and Auschwitz-II Birkenau camps by photographer Olivier Mériel The photos will be exhibited on the fences of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 20 January to 28 February 2025 Remembering and learning about the Holocaust reveals the dangers of antisemitism The "Auschwitz Birkenau - German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 His work focuses on the interplay of shadow and light November 2024 © Olivier Mériel/Mémorial de la Shoah ArtDependence Magazine is an international magazine covering all spheres of contemporary art ArtDependence features the latest art news highlighting interviews with today’s most influential artists fair directors and individuals at the axis of the arts The magazine also covers series of articles and reviews on critical art events new publications and other foremost happenings in the art world If you would like to submit events or editorial content to ArtDependence Magazine, please feel free to reach the magazine via the contact page A picture taken just after the liberation by the Soviet army in January shows a group of children wearing concentration camp uniforms behind barbed wire fencing in the Oswiecim (Auschwitz) Nazi concentration camp is escorted from the Warsaw Ghetto by German soldiers on April 19 shows a group of children wearing concentration camp uniforms behind barbed wire fencing in the Oswiecim (Auschwitz) nazi concentration camp a group of Polish Jews are led away for deportation by German SS soldiers during the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto by German troops after an uprising in the Jewish quarter This June 1958 image shows buildings behind a defunct high voltage electric fence of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I An aerial view of the Birkenau Extermination Camp at Oswiecim CAPTION CORRECTS INFO FILE - Part of the Auschwitz war crimes court inspects the former Nazi extermination center in Poland in Dec The anniversary has taken on added poignancy due to the advanced age of the survivors and an awareness that they will soon be gone even as new wars makes their warnings as relevant as ever Part of the Auschwitz war crimes court inspects the former Nazi extermination center in Poland in Dec The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum says it expects about 50 survivors of Auschwitz and other camps to attend the events on Monday afternoon the powerful will sit and listen to the voices of the former prisoners The German authorities founded the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1940 in the Polish town of Oswiecim after their invasion of Poland in 1939 Early on it was a camp for Polish prisoners including Catholic priests and members of the Polish underground resistance The Germans later established some 40 camps in the area a vast site used for mass killings in gas chambers Those arriving at Birkenau were brought in cramped the Nazis selected those they could use as forced laborers children and babies — were gassed to death soon after their arrival Altogether the Germans murdered 6 million Jews in the Holocaust at Auschwitz and other camps in ghettoes and in mass executions close to people’s homes Soviet troops arrived at the gates of the Auschwitz and found some 7,000 weak and emaciated prisoners a correspondent for the Soviet newspaper Pravda who was a first eyewitness described a scene of unbelievable suffering: “I saw thousands of tortured people whom the Red Army had saved — people so thin that they swayed like branches in the wind people whose ages one could not possibly guess.” At the time Allied troops were moving across Europe in a series of offensives against Germany Soviet troops first liberated the Majdanek camp near Lublin in July 1944 Many confronted the grief of murdered parents and children a historian of the Holocaust at Tel Aviv University said in a recent online discussion about the anniversary Today the site is a museum and memorial managed by the Polish state and is one of the most visited sites in Poland Its mission is to preserve the objects there and the memory of what happened there; it organizes guided tours and its historians carry out research Auschwitz is not only the place where 1.1 million people It also looms large in the world’s collective memory as the embodiment of all the Nazis crimes One reason that Auschwitz has emerged as the leading symbol of the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes is that it was also a labor camp and thousands survived eyewitnesses who could tell the world what happened there which for example barely happened in sites which didn’t have such a forced labor component,” said Thomas Van de Putte a scholar specialized in cultural and collective Holocaust memory at King’s College London and mass killings also took place at Belzec and other camps but the Germans sought to cover up the evidence of their crimes the Germans left behind barracks and watchtowers the remains of gas chambers and the hair and personal belongings of people killed there The “Arbeit macht frei” (work will set you free) gate is recognized the world over what remains has also left its mark on the collective conscience As Van der Putte notes: “You have the gate You have the incredibly long railway platform which leads to the former crematoria and gas chambers.” a country that for decades has been expressing remorse for the nation’s crimes under Hitler will be represented by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Also attending will be the president of Austria whose dictator Benito Mussolini formed an alliance with Hitler Others attending include Poland’s President Andrzej Duda Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron who has long worked to promote Holocaust remembrance will also attend along with other European royalty Russian President Vladimir Putin was an honored guest at the 60th anniversary in 2005 a testament to the Soviet role in liberating Auschwitz and the heavy price paid by Soviet troops in defeating Germany But he is not welcome anymore due to Russian aggression in Ukraine It will be the third year in a row — following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — with no Russia representative It is hard to imagine the presence of Russia which clearly does not understand the value of freedom,” museum director Piotr Cywiński said Danica Kirka in London and Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report This page has been archivedThe information is provided for reference or research purposes It has not been altered or updated since it was archived the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp was liberated it became one of the most important symbols of the Holocaust – the genocide that killed six million Jews with one million murdered in Auschwitz Birkenau alone The Nazis also killed 500,000 Roma and Sinti and unimaginable inhumanity of the Holocaust marked one of the darkest chapters in our history today announced that he will travel to Poland to mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp He will be accompanied by Canadian Holocaust survivors as well as Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism the Prime Minister will attend a commemorative event and meet with Holocaust survivors to hear their stories remember those whose lives were senselessly taken and pledge to never waver in standing up to antisemitism The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Poland where he will emphasize Canada’s commitment to transatlantic security in the face of global instability and uncertainty He will underscore the continued importance of support for peace and freedom in Ukraine including in the context of Canada’s 2025 G7 Presidency Prime Minister Trudeau will also discuss Canada’s potential contributions to Poland’s energy security through deepened co-operation and trade in clean energy the Prime Minister will meet with international partners to discuss ways to address key geopolitical challenges including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the evolving situation in the Middle East He will emphasize the importance of maintaining global unity in the defence of peace “What happened at the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp is a stark reminder of what happens when we give way to hate we remember the unimaginable horrors that the Holocaust inflicted on millions of Jewish people and we reaffirm our unequivocal pledge of ‘Never again’.” Prime Minister of Canada  @CanadianPM Join us at the Akustika Fair at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre from April 4-6 Meet The Strad team at stand F08 and pick up a free copy of the magazine The Strad Directory Jobs The documentary film The Lost Music of Auschwitz commemorates 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp Read more news stories here  A performance on a violin that survived the Auschwitz–Birkenau concentration camp is featured in a new documentary film filmed for Sky Arts to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on 27 January 1945 The 90-minute film tells the remarkable story of British composer and conductor Leo Geyer’s eight-year mission to piece together a treasure-trove of fragments of manuscripts found in the archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum perform the music he has painstakingly reconstructed. Musical performances are interwoven with powerful interviews with some of the last remaining survivors The documentary features a performance by violinist Antal Zalai playing on an instrument that survived the camp He performs the premiere of a work dedicated to the violinist Jakub Segar a Romani musician from Breslau (today’s Wrocław) who was a member of the Auschwitz I Men’s Orchestra The Auschwitz–Birkenau camp held at least six orchestras formed of prisoners and commissioned by the SS Many of the manuscripts that survived are almost too faint to read while others are damaged beyond recognition Geyer writes: ‘For the best part of a decade I have been piecing together the fragments of music manuscripts that have been overlooked in the archives at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum involving countless hours at my desk and ten research trips to Auschwitz to study the music in one of the blocks within the camp itself some with burnt edges and rips and others written in faded pencil The musical equivalent of several hundred jigsaw puzzles all jumbled up together with countless missing pieces I’ve been able to piece the manuscripts together by studying the fragments and cross-referencing them with testimonies and photographs and sensitively re-composing any missing gaps After almost ten years of painstaking work will enable the public to hear this music for the first time ‘The purpose of my restoration work is to enable this music to be heard exactly as it would have sounded in Auschwitz I have not had the opportunity to commit my own feelings into music I discovered the story of the Roma violinist he was stripped of his clothes and belongings he could not bear to be parted with his violin He was spared from immediate death in the gas chamber and admitted to the orchestra but he only needed to hear the melody once and he’d play it back perfectly Testimonies describe him as the best violinist in the orchestra Violinist Antal Zalai performs at Auschwitz–Birkenau I wrote a solo violin composition drawing on Romani musical traditions You might think that after ten years researching the orchestras of Auschwitz that I might have developed some immunity to the horrors the weight of this history has become heavier and more difficult as I have become more knowledgeable There are no words I can use to describe my response to humanity’s darkest moment with the ability to speak beyond specific meaning Music conveys pure emotion in a journey through time Antal Zalai the concert violinist of Roma ethnicity performs my Homage to Jakub Segar in Auschwitz but Antal plays on a violin that was in Auschwitz and was restored this was most powerful performance in the documentary The Nazis tried to wipe out Jewish and Romani people and they weaponised music by forcing musicians to playing marching music while their fellow prisoners carried the dead The Lost Music of Auschwitz will be broadcast at 9pm on 20 January on Sky Arts Read: ‘A band needed a cellist. It saved my life’ – Holocaust survivor and cellist meets Auschwitz director’s son in new documentary Read: Holocaust violin to be played at Cremona Musica In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers It’s packed full of exercises for students plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025 This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana The film follows the highs and lows of the cellist’s international career both on and off the stage Janet Banks reviews Kate Kennedy’s bestseller relating the stories of four cellists and their instruments The instruments that formerly belonged to Holocaust survivors can be heard on Violins of Hope from The Daniel Pelton Collective which strives to provide a stark reminder of atrocities of the past in an aim to shape better future Anna Boysen Lauritsen takes up the role of director while founder Jacob Shaw steps aside into the role of artistic director The violinist has been appointed artistic director of Clarion Concerts which provides chamber music concerts and experiences in New York’s Hudson Valley The Astatine Trio and Novo Quartet join the scheme from 2025–2027 Site powered by Webvision Cloud As Prince William and Princess Kate attend a special ceremony in London Charles is in Poland on the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz-Birkenau liberation Jan 27, 2025 | History, Society Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers We cannot do what we do without your support home is a place most would consider unimaginable She has lived her entire life within the grounds of Auschwitz in a former SS administration building that now forms part of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Anna refers to herself as “the last prisoner of Auschwitz” not because she endured its horrors firsthand “I think I am simply a hostage to the stories of people who experienced this hell,” she says Anna’s connection to Auschwitz began before her birth found herself trapped in Warsaw when Germany invaded Poland during a visit to her relatives in 1939 She was arrested in 1941 by the Gestapo for her involvement in the underground resistance and endured 18 months of torture and interrogation in Pawiak prison A new biography tells the extraordinary story of Polish WWII resistance fighter Elżbieta Zawacka She operated as an undercover courier in occupied Europe, was the sole female member of an elite Polish paratrooper group, and served in the Warsaw Uprising https://t.co/SUlu3cFUgK — Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) May 17, 2024 Mira was then deported to concentration camps she escaped a death march and found shelter with a German family was only 16 when he joined the Polish Army at the outbreak of the war a decision that severed ties with his German-loyal father Captured first by the Soviets and then by the Germans he endured torture in a prison in Mysłowice before being sent to Auschwitz as a political prisoner disinfecting prisoners’ uniforms and sorting belongings taken from those sent to their deaths He survived brutal beatings and near-starvation before being transferred to Ebensee where he was liberated in 1945 by Allied forces Auschwitz prisoner photographs of Józef Odi (image credit: Archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum) Their shared experiences of survival brought them together the immediate post-war period left them with few options for housing or work When Józef learned that volunteers were needed to guard and preserve the site of Auschwitz and Mira joined him soon after to work as a guide with fluency in French the family lived in the so-called “Gate of Death” gatehouse at Birkenau where Anna’s eldest sister was born in 1946 which prisoners once passed on their way to the gas chambers Their neighbours included former camp prisoners whose reasons for returning to Auschwitz were shaped by both practical needs and a deep sense of duty and the camp provided immediate shelter for survivors many of whom later took on roles as guides archivists and custodians of memory at the newly established Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum The gatehouse at Birkenau where the Odi family lived (image credit: Michel Zacharz/Wikimedia Commons, under CC BY-SA 2.5) Anna was born in 1956 in a hospital in Oświęcim – the town in which Auschwitz was built – but just days after her birth her parents took her home to the camp Her early life was marked by a unique blend of normality and historical weight Her father often cooked for the family and their neighbours creating a sense of warmth amid the sombre environment and her parents went to great lengths to shield their children from their home’s dark past they moved into the former SS administration block at Auschwitz I a grim building that once housed the offices of camp overseers converted from an SS office,” Anna recalls most of the building is used for museum offices The early post-war years brought challenges The camp was not yet a museum but a desolate and decaying site seeking valuables or simply scavenging materials Survivors like Józef and Mira took on the monumental task of preserving the remnants of Auschwitz People first started to visit the camp soon after its liberation in 1945 when the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum was officially established Anna describes them not as tourists but rather pilgrims seeking to understand what had happened worked tirelessly to protect items like piles of shoes and letters that memorialised the victims’ final moments personal belongings and the physical structures that bore witness to unimaginable atrocities Anna had no frame of reference for how extraordinary her childhood was Interactions with former prisoners visiting her parents were frequent “These were my first encounters with history,” Anna recalls “even if I didn’t fully understand it at the time sharing their stories over tea or during quiet evenings.” “I didn’t realise the tragedy that had happened here,” she says Anna’s parents tried to give her and her sisters a normal upbringing They built sandboxes for the children to play in and hosted Christmas celebrations Yet Auschwitz’s grim reminders were never far away Anna vividly remembers a school assignment that made her realise how different her life was “I was asked to draw the view from my window,” she says “I chose the gallows [where former camp commandant Rudolf Höss was hanged in 1947] Her childhood playmates included the children of other former prisoners who lived in the camp’s administrative buildings they turned Auschwitz into their playground and sledded on snowy mounds outside the former camp commandant’s office The gallows on which Rudolf Höss was hanged (image credit: Pimke/Wikimedia Commons, under CC BY-SA 3.0) One of her closest friends was a girl named Ania whose family lived in the villa occupied by Rudolph Höss and his family during the war The same garden where Höss’s children once played became a refuge for Anna and her friends Not all of her friends were comfortable with the site’s history Anna recalls her classmates being hesitant to visit her home “They’d heard stories about the camp and thought there might be ghosts.” It was not until Anna started asking questions that her parents began to reveal their past “They didn’t tell me everything at once,” she says I learned about the horrors they had endured.” Anna’s parents carried deep scars from their wartime experiences Mira lost her family during the war and spent her life grieving the parents she could never see again ‘Where was God when people were being burned in crematoria?’” Anna says Mira and Józef chose to dedicate their lives to preserving Auschwitz personal belongings and artifacts left behind laying the foundation for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum An archive in Germany has returned personal items confiscated from Polish concentration camp prisoners to their families The objects, which included watches, jewellery, letters and photographs, were handed over at a ceremony in Warsaw https://t.co/a3e0nLDfP0 — Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) September 13, 2024 The early volunteers lacked resources and faced resistance from some locals who viewed the camp as a source of shame rather than a place of remembrance “In this tragic place where so many people were killed “They started a mission to save history from oblivion.” she had planned to study law but decided against it feeling drawn to the work her parents had started at Auschwitz Her first role at the museum was as a guide showing visitors around the camp and explaining its harrowing history Anna soon realised that the work was too emotionally taxing for her She found it difficult to speak about the camp’s horrors so directly and decided to move to a different role Anna Odi in her first year working at the museum (image credit: Wydawnictwo Bellona “It was my first and last job,” she says she later moved to the collections department where she catalogued items like striped uniforms “Behind every document or object is a human drama a story that must be told,” she continues She treated each artifact – from letters smuggled out of the camp to shoes left behind in the barracks – as a vital piece of history often reflecting on the lives of the people behind them “The work was challenging but rewarding,” she explains and it was my responsibility to ensure those stories are not forgotten.” While she initially struggled with the emotional weight of her new responsibilities Anna came to view her work in the archives and collections departments as a mission “This land is soaked with the blood of victims,” she says It requires us to shout the truth about what happened here to the world.” Anna often speaks about the presence she feels of those who perished at Auschwitz connecting photos to names and objects to lives It’s as if they want to ensure they’re not forgotten.” A display of victims’ shoes in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (image credit: Bibi595/Wikimedia Commons, under CC BY-SA 3.0) While many former residents have moved away she is one of the last remaining residents in the building which is now mostly converted into museum offices “I cannot imagine living anywhere else,” she says Anna’s extraordinary life was the subject of The Last Prisoner of Auschwitz “I am grateful this book was written,” Anna says “May there never be a shortage of people willing to speak and write about Nazi crimes and their victims.” Main image credit: private archive of Anna Odi , , , , , Apr 30, 2025 | , , , That response will include “large Polish and NATO exercises in Poland” Apr 29, 2025 | , , , Those employed in Poland work on average the third-longest hours in the European Union Apr 28, 2025 | , , , , Westinghouse and Bechtel were first chosen in 2022 as partners on the 192 billion zloty ($51 billion) project please consider helping us to continue and expand it [email protected] Copyright © 2025 Notes From Poland | Design jurko studio | Code by 2sides.pl Senior Research Fellow at the Global Europe Centre ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Weronika Strzyżyńska is currently studying journalism at Goldsmiths as a Scott Trust Bursary recipient She  has written on issues immigration and Brexit for New Statesman and Prospect Agnieszka Wądołowska is managing editor of Notes from Poland She has previously worked for Gazeta.pl and Tokfm.pl and contributed to Gazeta Wyborcza ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland and assistant professor of history at the Pedagogical University of Krakow He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications The Independent and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Stanley Bill is the founder and editor-at-large of Notes from Poland.He is also Senior Lecturer in Polish Studies and Director of the Polish Studies Programme at the University of Cambridge Stanley has spent more than ten years living in Poland He founded Notes from Poland in 2014 as a blog dedicated to personal impressions cultural analysis and political commentary He is committed to the promotion of deeper knowledge and understanding of Poland He is the Chair of the Board of the Notes from Poland Foundation ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Professor of European Studies at Oxford University ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Professor at the Institute of History of the Jagiellonian University ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Executive Director of Taube Family Foundation ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR Associate Professor at the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Science ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR You browser this site using Internet Explorer 8 or lower install the latest version of Internet Explorer or any other equivalent browser (Firefox On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp and the International Holocaust Remembrance Day opened an exhibition brought to Jerusalem by the Austrian Cultural Forum Tel Aviv entitled "Only the violins remain The exhibition at the House of Austrian History sheds light on the lives of the Austrian Jewish violinists Arnold Rosé and his daughter Alma Rosé two icons of Austrian music and Viennese social life As conductor of the women's orchestra in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp Alma Rosé saved the lives of numerous Jewish musicians before she herself died in Auschwitz in 1944 Her father Arnold Rosé died in exile in London Ambassador Nikolaus Lutterotti reminded people of Austria's responsibility to face up to its own history It is an obligation to take responsibility for the crimes of the Shoah and to decisively oppose the growing anti-Semitism worldwide," said Ambassador Lutterotti The story of the Rosé family does not only represent the tragedy of an individual but symbolizes the enormous intellectual and cultural loss that Austria experienced as a result of anti-Semitism and the Shoah It reminds us of the significant influence of Jewish thought and culture on the development of Austria The exhibition will be on display at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance until March 1st Sason Hogi Tower Abba Hillel Silver Street 12 Ramat Gan 5250606 Tel.: +972 3 612 0924 Fax: +972 3 751 0716 Address and opening hours According to Ukrainian educator and guide Nataliia Tkachenko the death camp acquires a whole new significance when you're in the midst of a brutal war 2024Get email notification for articles from Allison Gordon FollowOct 31 Poland – While Russian rockets soar above her Ukrainian hometown Nataliia Tkachenko is leading a tour through the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau Monday marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp One of the youngest survivors was an eight-year-old Polish girl named Rutka She moved to Canada after the war and took the name Rachel Hyams Rachel’s daughter has been retracing her mother’s steps and allowed Malcolm Brabant to come along on the emotional journey Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy This coming Monday marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp One of the youngest survivors was an 8-year-old Polish girl named Rutka And now Rachel's daughter has been retracing her mother's steps and allowed special correspondent Malcolm Brabant to come along on the emotional journey Granddaughter of Auschwitz Survivor: Take a deep breath And the echoes of this place continue to destroy my family Audrey Hyams Romoff has spent a lifetime resisting the compulsion to come here no different than it did over 80 years ago Audrey has traveled from Toronto to try to find answers to two unresolved family mysteries Why was her grandfather Aron killed during a fight in a cattle car on the way to Auschwitz-Birkenau to suicide 63 three years after she and her mother the worst of all the Nazi extermination camps Rachel was just eight years old when she entered the gate of death Most people transported here from across occupied Europe went straight to the gas chambers as she told the Shoah Foundation 28 years ago I see a door that is oval on top and straight on the bottom I know that our clothes are being taken away I knew that women were having their heads shaved This Russian film shot a week after the death camp's liberation shows the child survivors dressing in bright colors as a counterpoint to her dark past in 2008 in Montreal during a Jewish holiday more than 60 years after Rachel escaped the gas chambers he said: "Your mother doesn't want to be here anymore." And I didn't take it seriously because my mother had made these grand pronouncements all my life Rachel shut herself in the garage and started the car People who have made this type of decision are really at peace because they know that they're taking control and they're not going to be in pain And that's really hard for me to live with So that really is much more present for me than the manner in which she decided to take her life The search for answers gains traction in the Archives of Tomaszow Mazowiecki south of Warsaw where the Nazis crowned Audrey's family into a ghetto Historian Justyna Biernat has won accolades for revealing Tomaszow's dark past Only five of the town's Jewish children survived the Holocaust Aron with his family and your grandpa with your grand-uncle with — so there were a few children And they were all together in one flat in the ghetto Builders were at work erasing the last traces of the block's former Jewish occupants who spent more than two years here being terrorized and starved by the Nazis We know the most Grynszpan family were resettled here and it was about 16 people from the Grynszpan family and I think that about eight or nine in one flat To know how many of them were sort of just packed in here is hard to wrap your head around I talked about how I didn't think that my mother and my grandmother would want us to do this trip And I don't think they ever could have imagined that I'd be standing in this place Wenceslas Church was built after the war to exercise ghosts 14,000 Jews from the ghetto were selected to be exterminated Wenceslas survived the war and has been moved a short distance away I don't think I want to absorb the energy of this place because it's so dark This church is born witness to one of the most evil things that happened during the Holocaust in Tomaszow Mazowiecki A Nazi officer sat in front of this building acting like a Roman emperor giving the thumbs down to those Jews who were sent to the line of death and they were transported to Treblinka he gave the thumbs up and they could survive because the Germans had a use for Audrey's grandfather We have got Aron Grynszpan here in the Jewish police And this is the wages ledger that proves Grynszpan was a low-ranking officer in the ghetto Jewish elders were ordered by the Germans to establish ghetto police forces to make them accessories to Nazi war crimes sons of good families were recruited in a vain attempt to mitigate the Germans' actions Grynszpan signed up on the same day as his best friend And they knew that they will need hands for doing this As the liquidation of the Tomaszow ghetto approached Everyone needs to eat — to eat and to be safe Nazis mercilessly beat Jewish policemen as they shepherded their fellow Jews to the cattle cars One policeman forced to participate in the deportations was Henry Bierzynski Bierzynski's rare account of life as a ghetto policeman is contained in "The Ghost Tattoo" written by his son Australian doctor Tony Bernard "The Ghost Tattoo": In terms of you and me If your grandfather had not been a ghetto policeman you would not be here and I wouldn't be here healthy people who all went to Treblinka on those trains and didn't survive You really had to have this get-out-of-jail card The question of our survival is something that I grapple with Audrey and Lindsay are retracing Rachel's steps into Crematorium 3 in the fall of 1944 There was an incident that my mother could never explain when she was here and they had them undressed and they brought them into the gas chamber and then nothing happened they took them back out and brought them back to the barracks One possible explanation is that the children were saved by Hitler's deputy Heinrich Himmler's order that gas chambers cease operations In a futile attempt to cover up the Nazis war crimes before abandoning Auschwitz-Birkenau how many children were in here that didn't just survive like my mother did But to turn the corner and see where they burned the bodies and people are capable of doing horrible things and I don't think that we have passed that point in our in our humanity that this is an impossibility And we continue to walk with the grief beside us just like my mother walked with the grief beside her Audrey's and Lindsay's pilgrimage didn't yield the definitive answers they were seeking For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Malcolm Brabant in Auschwitz-Birkenau Malcolm Brabant has been a special correspondent for the PBS Newshour since 2015 © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins