80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Commemorated in Poland

2025-01-28

On January 27, 2025, survivors of Auschwitz, world leaders, and dignitaries gathered in Oświęcim, Poland, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp by Soviet troops. The solemn event marked the liberation of approximately 7,000 prisoners in 1945, many of whom were emaciated and near death. Auschwitz, the largest Nazi extermination camp, was responsible for the murder of over 1.1 million people, predominantly Jews, but also Poles, Romani, Soviet prisoners, and others targeted by the Nazi regime.

Eva Umlauf, an 82-year-old survivor who was only 2 years old when liberated, attended the ceremony with her family. She emphasized the importance of remembering the Holocaust, stating, “They have to know that it’s true. You know, because it’s so, so unbelievable, unbelievable that nobody can believe this.” Umlauf, like many survivors, bears a tattooed number on her arm, a permanent reminder of the dehumanization she endured.

The commemoration comes at a time of rising antisemitism globally, fueled by recent conflicts and the proliferation of hate speech on social media. Surveys reveal alarming gaps in Holocaust knowledge, particularly among younger generations. For instance, nearly half of Americans aged 18-29 could not name a single Nazi camp, and 26% expressed skepticism about the Holocaust’s historical accuracy.

Pope Francis, in a message ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, urged the eradication of antisemitism and called for a world built on fraternity and peace. He emphasized the importance of educating young people to reject hatred and discrimination.

The event also highlighted the dwindling number of survivors, with only around 1,000 Auschwitz survivors still alive. Alexander Avram of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial center, stressed the urgency of preserving their testimonies, noting that over a million victims’ names remain unknown. Efforts to recover these names include the use of artificial intelligence to analyze historical documents.

The ceremony concluded with survivors laying candles and reciting prayers, including the Kaddish, in memory of the victims. As the world marks this milestone anniversary, the survivors’ presence serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring need to combat hatred and intolerance.

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