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MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU FORMER GERMAN NAZI
CONCENTRATION AND EXTERMINATION CAMP

Press Releases

• 27 January: It is difficult to be anywhere else on this day

King and Queen of the Netherlands, King of Spain, presidents of Germany, Israel, Poland and Switzerland and prime minister of Greece are the first confirmed heads of state delegations who will take part in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz on January 27, 2020.

• Together with Survivors – January 27th all over the world!

Each and every Auschwitz survivor will be welcome during commemorative events of the 75th anniversary of liberation of the camp on January 27, 2020. However, we are aware of the fact that, due to various reasons, not everyone will be able to be present at the Memorial. This is why the events commemorating the anniversary will be broadcasted live online and available free of charge to everyone. It will also be possible to follow the entire ceremony – apart from TV channels – on YouTube and Museum profiles on social media.

Very positive signals concerning the organization of common viewing of the anniversary have already reached us from some institutions and organizations. Such events may be of great importance for former prisoners of Auschwitz and other camps as well as Holocaust Survivors residing nearby. Each institution or organization which is going to prepare an event of this kind can contact us by e-mail at press[at]Auschwitz.org and provide their name, location and contact details. We will publish this information on the 75.auschwitz.org website in order to help survivors find and reach the nearest place where the broadcast will be organized.

 

• 27 January: the 75th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz in live TV broadcast

The Polish television (TVP) will be the producer of the official TV broadcasting signal during the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on 27 January 2020. The free TV signal available in satellite transmissions will be available to TV stations around the world. Streaming of the anniversary events with simultaneous translation into Polish and English will also be available in HD quality at www.auschwitz.org, on YouTube and social media sites of the Auschwitz Memorial. 

• January 27: the world will honor the Victims together with Survivors

A delegation of approximately 120 Auschwitz and Holocaust Survivors from the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, and several European countries will be able to take part in the main commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz thanks to the support of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation from New York City under the Leadership of Ronald S. Lauder. The Survivors will join a group of former prisoners from Poland who will come to the Memorial on January 27, 2020.

• On January 27 the world will be listening to the voice of the Auschwitz Survivors

On January 27, 2020, we will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp. Although the anniversary will be symbolically commemorated in different places in the world, the main event will take place at the authentic Memorial Site. The voice of Survivors and their message for the contemporary world will sound from this place, from the gate of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

The schedule of anniversary events:

• welcome address by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda
• MAIN ADDRESSES - Auschwitz Survivors
• address of a representative of the "Pillars of Remembrance"
• word of thanks by the director of the Memorial Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński
• ecumenical prayers

Then, a delegation of Survivors, accompanied by heads of state delegations, will walk towards the monument located between the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria II and III. Candles will commemorate all victims of the Auschwitz camp.

• 27 January: a large group of survivors for the 75th anniversary of liberation

Next year's commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz will probably be the last semi-circular anniversary to be attended by numerous survivors, former prisoners of Auschwitz. We estimate that even over 120 Auschwitz survivors may participate in the official event.

‘Three-quarters of a century has passed since the end of the camp nightmare. Has the world profoundly understood its daily responsibility? By observing various incidents occurring in many places, one may have considerable doubts,’ said Auschwitz Museum Director Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński, PhD.

‘The aim of this anniversary is to awaken consciences, to assume responsibilities rooted in memory. That is why the presence of survivors is so important. I know that many heads of states and governments will want to stand alongside the survivors on this day. The support of the media will also be of great importance to reach as many people as possible with the message about the Shoah and the tragedy of Auschwitz,’ added Piotr Cywiński.

• The grand anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz next year

The year 2019 at the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum will be primarily dedicated to preparations for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, which will be commemorated on 27 January 2020. A special team at the Museum responsible for the organization of this unique event began its work right after the January commemoration of the 74th anniversary.