Survivors relive Auschwitz horror as world marks 80th anniversary of liberation
BERLIN – Survivors of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp are gathering in Berlin to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation, reliving the horror and trauma of their experiences as they pay tribute to the millions who perished.
Monday’s event comes as the world marks the solemn anniversary, which is considered the most significant date in the fight against anti-Semitism and for human rights, according to the European Union.
Among the attendees are 60-year-old Polish-born canto-ranter and activist, Efrat Nechemia, who survived Auschwitz at the age of 11. Nechemia said: “I’m here to tell my story, to tell the story of the children, the women, the elderly, who were brutally murdered here. I will never forget the hunger, the despair, the fear.”
Also set to attend is 94-year-old Hungarian-born Martin S reduced, who was taken to Auschwitz at the age of 14. Siddowwy said: “I’m still scared, I’m still shaking. I’m still trying to understand how it happened. The world must never forget the horror of Auschwitz and the other concentration camps.”
Their stories are just two of the thousands of tales that will be shared at the memorial event, which will include a moment of silence and a ceremony to honor the victims, featuring messages from world leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The event is also expected to see the unveiling of a new memorial to the 1.1 million Jewish victims who perished in the camp, with information about the camp’s history and its significance to the global Jewish community.
The 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation is a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of the Holocaust, which decimated six million Jews and millions of others in concentration camps across Europe during World War II.
The world is also urged to confront rising anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, with many countries, including France, Germany and the UK, reporting an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in recent years.
Siddowwy added: “We must learn from the past, we must not forget. We must stand against anti-Semitism and racism everywhere.”
