World leaders and dignitaries gathered at Auschwitz-Birkenau to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The event focused on the remaining survivors and their message. King Charles joined the ceremony, paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.
World leaders, royalty, and dignitaries gathered at Auschwitz-Birkenau today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The focus of the event remains on the remaining survivors and their poignant message. King Charles is among those traveling to Poland to pay tribute to the over million individuals murdered at the site, primarily Jews, who constituted a part of the approximately six million killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust .
The ceremony, broadcast live on Sky News from 2pm, will be held in front of the infamous gates of the former concentration camp, bearing the chilling inscription 'Arbeit Macht Frei,' 'work sets you free.' Survivors will place a light in front of a freight train carriage, a potent symbol representing the horrific journeys endured by those deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. King Charles, alongside other heads of state and government, will lay lights in memory of the victims of the Holocaust during World War II. This carriage, manufactured in Germany, encapsulates just one aspect of the harrowing ordeal faced by those imprisoned within the camp's walls. Survivors will address guests, a distinguished assemblage expected to include French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the monarchs of both the Netherlands and Spain. Later this evening, at 8pm, historic landmarks across the UK will illuminate in purple to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. In previous years, iconic structures such as the London Eye, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, St George's Hall in Liverpool, Blackpool Tower, and Gateshead Millennium Bridge have been bathed in purple light. Citizens are also encouraged to place candles in their windows as a tribute to those who perished. The Prime Minister hosted a reception for Holocaust survivors at Downing Street on Wednesday, sharing his reflections on his recent visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. On January 17th, Sir Keir Starmer visited the concentration camp, describing it as 'utterly harrowing'. 'Never again' must mean 'never again.' The United Kingdom's principal political leaders have issued statements on Holocaust Memorial Day emphasizing the shared responsibility of unity against antisemitism. The Prime Minister stated: 'It happened, it can happen again: that is the warning of the Holocaust to us all. And it's why it is a duty for all of us to make 'never again' finally mean what it says: never again.' This sentiment was echoed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch: 'The Holocaust stands as a unique evil in human history. It is crucial that we learn its lessons and continue to combat antisemitism, ensuring that 'never again' truly means never again'. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey drew attention to the genocides that have transpired in the decades following World War II. 'We must remember, so that we try harder to stop it happening again, as it has so tragically in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and elsewhere. We must be vigilant in our opposition to antisemitism, hatred, discrimination, and oppression, and vigilant in defence of peace, human rights - and compassion,' he stated. Pope Francis issued a stark warning against the 'scourge of antisemitism.' In a Sunday prayer, the Pope declared: 'The horror of the extermination of millions of Jewish people and others of different faiths during those years must never be forgotten or denied. I renew my appeal for everyone to work together to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism, along with every form of discrimination and religious persecution.' Meanwhile, in Belfast, Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly paused to commemorate the Holocaust on Thursday. Ms. O'Neill stated, 'As we pause to remember the past, we resolve to shine a light on suffering and injustice wherever it occurs.' Deputy First Minister Ms. Little-Pengelly added, 'Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us that we must not be complacent in the face of prejudice.'
Holocaust Auschwitz-Birkenau Liberation World Leaders King Charles Antisemitism Survivors Remembrance
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