International Holocaust Remembrance Day Observed

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Events were held across Europe to commemorate the millions of people killed by Nazi Germany.

Commemorations Across Europe

At the Auschwitz memorial site in southern Poland, former prisoners laid flowers and wreaths. Poland's President Karol Nawrocki was scheduled to join survivors for a ceremony at Birkenau, where Jews from across Europe were exterminated.

In Berlin, candles and white roses were placed at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, symbolizing Germany's remorse for the 6 million victims. A candlelight march was planned in Terezin, Czech Republic, at the former Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt.

Historical Context and Statistics

Nazi German forces killed approximately 1.1 million people at Auschwitz, predominantly Jews, but also Poles, Roma, and others. The Soviet army liberated the camp on January 27, 1945.

Overall, about 6 million Jews perished in the Holocaust.

Survivors Share Their Stories

Globally, an estimated 196,600 Jewish Holocaust survivors are still alive, with a median age of 87. Many are child survivors.

Survivors continue to share their stories; for instance, 95-year-old Mala Tribich addressed the British Cabinet, urging them to fight antisemitism and to remember.

Leaders Address Contemporary Issues

Leaders also reflected on contemporary global issues. European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned about rising antisemitism and the use of AI to distort historical truth.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for unity against hatred, referencing the world's action against the Nazis in 1945.