Memory can be quite fragile. About a decade ago, 300 survivors came together at Auschwitz to reflect on the liberation of this infamous Nazi death camp. Now, as they prepare for the 80th anniversary, only 50 survivors are expected to attend. A study from last year noted that the median age of Holocaust survivors is around 86. One such survivor, 97-year-old Esther Senot, remains devoted to the promise she made to her sister Fanny, who wished for their story to be told so that history wouldn’t forget them. Among the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, nearly one million lost their lives at the Auschwitz complex in German-occupied Poland, along with many Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet POWs, gay men, political prisoners, and others. The name Auschwitz has become a symbol of profound evil.
This year, the Auschwitz museum decided to ban speeches by politicians—a move likely influenced by past experiences. Holocaust memories have been politicized in Poland, and while the museum’s mission transcends politics, it’s not entirely immune to geopolitical currents. In previous years, figures such as Vladimir Putin have been present, but no Russian representation is expected this time. A recent statement from Poland’s deputy foreign minister implied that if the Israeli prime minister were to attend, authorities would be required to arrest him following an ICC warrant related to alleged war crimes in Gaza. Despite Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk assuring that Benjamin Netanyahu would be safe if he decided to attend, he is not expected to be part of Israel’s delegation.
This decision by the museum serves another purpose: to prioritize the voices of the survivors and to honor those they mourn—parents, children, friends, and loved ones who disappeared in the Holocaust’s horrors. Although the number of survivors is dwindling, their stories remain as critical and compelling as ever. “Never again” was first declared by Buchenwald survivors in 1945, though history has seen genocides repeat, including the massacre of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has raised alarms over a notable surge in antisemitism both in the UK and globally, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Extremists are also leveraging these tensions to stoke Islamophobia. Across Europe, the far right is gaining momentum, even in countries like Germany. Last Monday, Elon Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, was seen making gestures interpreted as Nazi salutes during celebrations for the US presidential inauguration. Furthermore, earlier this month on X, Musk hosted a conversation with Alice Weidel, leader of Alternative für Deutschland, during which she oddly labeled Hitler as a “communist, socialist guy,” claiming her party is completely opposite. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has employed fascist language, denouncing immigrants while using terms like “vermin” and “poisoning the blood.”
Bigotry, including antisemitism, hasn’t disappeared. Instead, it seems to be flourishing. True believers are becoming more outspoken, while others follow, driven by ambition or indifference. Primo Levi, an Auschwitz survivor, observed that “functionaries”—ordinary participants—can pose a more significant threat than overt monsters. While dehumanization doesn’t always lead to genocide, it’s the starting point for every genocide. Levi warned that when the latent belief that “every stranger is an enemy” becomes widespread, it leads down a dangerous path, ending in places like the concentration camps.
Yet, there is a path away from Auschwitz, and it starts with remembering the horrors that happened there.
