On January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed worldwide, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most infamous Nazi death camp. The day was established by the UN in 2005 and serves as a solemn reminder of the genocide of approximately six million Jews and countless others during the Holocaust.
In various events across Europe, leaders and survivors reflected on the dangers of hatred and indifference. Italian President Sergio Mattarella highlighted the need to confront the persistent evils of racism and oppression, while Polish President Karol Nawrocki joined survivors for a memorial service at Auschwitz.
Survivor Bernard Offen, 96, spoke about the resurgence of hatred and violence in today’s world, urging people to make better choices. In Berlin, candles were lit at the Memorial to Europe’s Murdered Jews, symbolizing Germany’s acknowledgment of its past complicity.
In the Czech Republic, 90-year-old survivor Pavel Jelinek shared his experience as the last Jew from his hometown post-war. The global population of Jewish Holocaust survivors is dwindling, with approximately 196,600 remaining, most aged 87 or older.
In the UK, King Charles hosted a reception for survivors, with 95-year-old Mara Tryvic delivering a powerful speech about her traumatic past, urging ministers to combat anti-Semitism. Leaders across Europe, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, emphasized the importance of unity against rising anti-Semitism and global threats, advocating for collective action against hatred and war.
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