Approximately 50 survivors of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau will revisit the site on Monday to commemorate its liberation on January 27, 1945. Despite the gathering of dignitaries, including King Charles, Emmanuel Macron, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, it will be the survivors, many in their late 80s and 90s, who will share their stories during the ceremonies. The survivors aim to convey the atrocities that occurred at the camp, where 1.1 million people, predominantly Jews, were killed, emphasizing the importance of preventing such horrors from reoccurring.
Jona Laks, now 94 and a former prisoner who arrived with her siblings in 1944, expressed, "Every soul on this earth has the right to live." She reflected on Auschwitz as a lethal place where only a few managed to survive.
As some of the elderly survivors may struggle to endure prolonged outdoor exposure due to frailty, a large heated tent has been set up over the "Death Gate" at Birkenau for their comfort during Monday's events.
The day will commence with survivors and Polish President Andrzej Duda laying a wreath at the "Death Wall" in the primary Auschwitz camp, followed by proceedings at Birkenau, known as Auschwitz II.
This year's anniversary marks a change from past commemorations, such as the one led by writer Elie Wiesel three decades ago, with less global interest at the time.
The significance of Auschwitz and the Holocaust remains paramount, with efforts from various individuals like historian Susanne Willems, who considers it her duty to preserve the survivors' stories and continue bearing witness.
The event will be free of political speeches by world leaders near the Death Gate, and the absence of Russian representation is noted due to ongoing conflicts. While the atrocities of Auschwitz are well-documented, personal accounts from survivors like Jona Laks serve as poignant reminders of the horrors that took place and the urgent need to learn from history to prevent similar atrocities in the future.