A person lights a candle at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army's liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
OSWIECIM, Poland (AP) — Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp prayed and wept as they marked the 75th anniversary of its liberation, returning Monday to the place where they lost entire families and warning about the ominous growth of anti-Semitism and hatred in the world.
“We have with us the last living survivors, the last among those who saw the Holocaust with their own eyes,” Polish President Andrzej Duda told those at the commemoration, which included the German president as well as Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders.
“The magnitude of the crime perpetrated in this place is terrifying, but we must not look away from it and we must never forget it,” Duda said.
About 200 camp survivors attended, many of them elderly Jews and non-Jews who traveled from Israel, the United States, Australia, Peru, Russia, Slovenia and elsewhere. Many lost parents and grandparents in Auschwitz or other Nazi death camps during World War II, but were joined by children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda walks along with survivors through the gates of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp to attend the 75th anniversary of its liberation in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Survivors and their relatives walk through the gates of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp to attend the 75th anniversary of its liberation in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Survivors carry a wreath at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, left, and the director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr Cywinski attend commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. London Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged 300,000 pounds ($390,000) to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, arguing that the institution plays a vital role in educating Londoners visiting the site on the horrors of the Holocaust. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Death Wall at the Auschwitz I Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, 2nd left, and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda sit with heads of state during a ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Auschwitz survivor Else Baker, sitting by the lectern at right, listens to an assistant read her speech during a ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Heads of State listen to Auschwitz survivor Marian Turski, at the lectern, deliver a speech during a ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender pause for a moment after laying a candle by the International Monument at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Diginitaries arrive to put candles at a memorial site at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender, front row left, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, center, and holocaust survivor Marian Turski, second right, attend commemorations at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Holocaust survivor Marian Turski, center, walks to meet dignitaries, rear left, during commemorations at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Britain’s Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles places a candle by the International Monument at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Heads of State and survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered Monday for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Holocaust survivor Marian Turski, center with cane, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles, far left top, King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, left, King of Spain Filipe VI and Queen Letizia, far right, King of Belgium Philippe and Queen of Belgium Mathilde, center, attend commemorations at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander pay their respects at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet army’s liberation of the camp, using the testimony of survivors to warn about the signs of rising anti-Semitism and hatred in the world today. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
As Steve Bannon said , the only book he kept by his filthy bed was a copy of Mein Kampf. This was Mr Trump’s role model.
Nachum
4 years ago
#1800758
Hey, Shimoni, what is your point in writing such a despicable, and reprehensible post? Bannon is no longer working at the White House, and was thrown out two years ago.
the people
4 years ago
#1800778
The testimony given by the members or Jews assigned to the Kanada workers who came into gas chambers to remove the gold teeth and check women’s genitals for hidden jewelry should be published. Unfortunately these testimonies and reports are no longer available!!!!!!!
As Steve Bannon said , the only book he kept by his filthy bed was a copy of Mein Kampf. This was Mr Trump’s role model.
Hey, Shimoni, what is your point in writing such a despicable, and reprehensible post? Bannon is no longer working at the White House, and was thrown out two years ago.
The testimony given by the members or Jews assigned to the Kanada workers who came into gas chambers to remove the gold teeth and check women’s genitals for hidden jewelry should be published. Unfortunately these testimonies and reports are no longer available!!!!!!!
GoldnMadina.. please shut up already..shut.