Remembering the Liberation of Auschwitz – 27th January

Every year on 27th January, the world pauses to remember the liberation of Auschwitz, one of history’s most significant and tragic events. This date marks the day in 1945 when Soviet forces entered Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, liberating its remaining prisoners and revealing the horrors that had taken place there. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and a solemn reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The Liberation of Auschwitz
On 27th January 1945, the Red Army reached Auschwitz, located in occupied Poland. The soldiers found approximately 7,000 survivors, many of them emaciated, sick, and barely clinging to life. The Nazis, aware of the approaching Soviet forces, had attempted to destroy evidence of their crimes, burning records and forcing nearly 60,000 prisoners on a death march towards other camps. Those left behind were too weak to move.

The soldiers who liberated Auschwitz encountered piles of corpses, abandoned barracks, and gas chambers that had been used in the systematic murder of over 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, but also Poles, Romani people, Soviet prisoners of war, and others persecuted by the Nazi regime.

Why 27th January Matters
The liberation of Auschwitz has become a symbol of the end of one of the darkest chapters in human history. In 2005, the United Nations designated 27th January as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, urging the world to honor the victims and ensure that such horrors are never repeated.

This day serves as a reminder of:

• The millions of lives lost during the Holocaust.
• The importance of education in combating hatred, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia.
• The survivors’ stories, which continue to bear witness to history.

Commemorations and Memorial Events
Each year, memorial events take place across the world, particularly at Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland. Survivors, world leaders, and dignitaries gather to honor the victims, lay wreaths at the memorial, and light candles in remembrance. Many educational programs, exhibitions, and film screenings also take place to educate younger generations about the Holocaust.

Lessons from Auschwitz
The liberation of Auschwitz is not just about remembering the past—it is about learning from history. The Holocaust teaches us the devastating consequences of hate, racism, and discrimination. By keeping these memories alive, future generations can work towards a world where such atrocities never happen again.

On 27th January, the world stands together in remembrance, ensuring that the voices of the victims and survivors of Auschwitz continue to be heard. We remember. We reflect. We pledge: Never again.