Auschwitz Survivors Commemorate 80 Years Since Liberation, Urge Vigilance Against Intolerance

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On January 27, 2023, survivors of Auschwitz came together to honor the 80th anniversary of the concentration camp's liberation by the Red Army. The poignant commemoration took place at the infamous Birkenau extermination camp, where 1.1 million people lost their lives during the Holocaust. Dwindling in numbers, the survivors shared powerful testimonies of their experiences amidst a gathering that included world leaders and European royalty.

Leon Weintraub, 99, the oldest survivor present, expressed a crucial message: "We were stripped of all humanity." Tova Friedman, who survived the horrors of the genocide as a young child, warned of the perils of intolerance and antisemitism, which she described as a troubling sign of societal decay.

Polish President Andrzej Duda pledged Poland's commitment to preserving the memory of death camps on its soil, underscoring the importance of remembrance. Echoing this sentiment, Piotr Cywinski, director of the Auschwitz museum, emphasized that memory is essential to understanding history and preventing future atrocities.

During the ceremony, British King Charles III made history as the first reigning monarch to visit Auschwitz, visibly moved as he honored the victims. He highlighted the necessity of remembering "the evils of the past" to foster a more compassionate world.

This day also marked International Holocaust Memorial Day, reminding attendees of the ongoing dangers of Holocaust denial and the need for continued vigilance against hatred and intolerance.

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