Oswiecim, Poland — The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops was marked on January 27, 2025, with a solemn ceremony at the site of the former death camp. This observance is seen as a significant and possibly the last major gathering of survivors, many of whom are in their 80s, emphasizing the urgency to remember and learn from the past amid today's increasing antisemitism and hatred.

Approximately 1.1 million individuals perished at Auschwitz during World War II, predominantly Jews, along with Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, and others who were victims of Nazi Germany's racial ideology. At the ceremony, CBS News reported that Polish President Andrzej Duda participated, offering prayers at the Death Wall, where many prisoners were executed.

The event drew a considerable global presence, with leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Notably, the ceremony did not include speeches from politicians this year, as organizers chose to focus on the elderly survivors, many regarded as the last eyewitnesses of the atrocities that occurred within the camp's walls. “We Poles, on whose land the Germans built this extermination industry, are today the guardians of memory,” Duda reflected, acknowledging the profound loss experienced by millions during the Holocaust.

The observance also resonated with memories of past horrors and warnings about contemporary challenges. Tova Friedman, one of the survivors who attended, shared her concerns about an increase in hatred globally, emphasizing that, “The world has become toxic. We are in a crisis again, that there is so much hatred around.” Such sentiments were echoed by other leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reminded attendees that fighting hatred remains a collective responsibility.

The significance of this anniversary was accentuated by the absence of Russian officials, who historically played a key role in these commemorations due to the Soviet liberation of the camp. Their non-participation since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine reflects geopolitical tensions that complicate such memorials. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message reiterating a commitment to honor the sacrifices of Soviet soldiers, yet his government’s stance on contemporary conflicts has affected relations during these observances.

As the ceremony concluded at Birkenau, where mass killings occurred, world leaders and dignitaries, including Britain's King Charles III, united in remembrance. The gathering underscored the importance of not only commemorating the victims but also reaffirming commitments to combating ongoing hatred and ensuring that history is neither forgotten nor repeated.

The legacy of Auschwitz continues to serve as a somber reminder of the consequences of hatred and intolerance, as world leaders resolve to honor the memories of those lost by fostering understanding and unity against similar ideologies today.

For additional coverage of the ceremony, please visit Time, NPR, and AP News.