From Ashes to Lessons
The 80-Year Echo of Auschwitz
Every year since 2005, January 27th has marked the International Holocaust Remembrance Day—a moment to pause, reflect and let history speak to our hearts. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most infamous of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps.
Between 1940 and 1945, it became the site of unimaginable cruelty—mass executions, forced labor, and medical experiments on innocent people with most of them being murdered in gas chambers. The liberation of Auschwitz revealed to the world the horrors of the Holocaust—skeletal survivors, piles of belongings, and the ashes of millions of innocent people. Although the systematic dehumanization and industrial-scale killing that took place in Auschwitz defy comprehension, they serve as a chilling reminder of what can happen when hatred is allowed to spiral out of control.
Eighty years on, Auschwitz transcends its role as a historical site to serve as an enduring symbol of the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred. In a world increasingly fractured by divisions and the rapid proliferation of hate speech online, the lessons of Auschwitz resonate now with greater urgency than ever, reminding us of the critical need for vigilance, empathy, and unity. It underscores the danger of indifference, as the Holocaust was fuelled not only by the perpetrators but also by the silence of the bystanders, reminding us to confront injustice whenever it arises. It highlights the fragility of democracy, showing how the erosion of democratic values enabled such atrocities, urging us to remain vigilant in protecting our rights and freedoms. Finally, it reveals the power of resistance and humanity, with stories of courage and kindness amidst unimaginable suffering, inspiring us to stand up against injustice in all its forms. Ignoring the Holocaust, or reducing it to a statistic, is not only a betrayal of those who suffered, but also a dangerous oversight for ourselves.
In recognition of the milestone year, the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Holocaust has selected “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights” as its central theme for 2025. This year Holocaust remembrance carries even greater urgency as the last survivors, the living witnesses to history’s darkest chapter, age. Their firsthand accounts have been indispensable in educating the world about the atrocities of the Holocaust. As their voices inevitably fade, it becomes imperative to rely on the vast repository of recorded testimonies, museums, and memorials to safeguard their stories. Technology offers transformative tools—virtual reality tours of Auschwitz, interactive survivor holograms, and expansive online archives ensure that the memory of the Holocaust continues to resonate, reaching and educating new generations with unparalleled immediacy and impact.
This 80th anniversary is thus more than a milestone—it accentuates the vital importance of Holocaust remembrance, honoring the memory of those who perished, and pays tribute to survivors whose resilience illuminates humanity’s capacity for justice and dignity. As antisemitism, racism, and hate resurface, remembering the Holocaust equips us to recognize and combat these threats, reminding us that such atrocities began with words—propaganda, stereotypes, and scapegoating. This milestone also highlights the urgency of educating future generations, preserving survivors’ testimonies, and fostering an understanding of the devastating consequences of prejudice and the enduring value of diversity and moral courage.
Sadly, as antisemitism and various forms of hatred continue to rise globally, the lessons of the Holocaust are as vital as ever. Understanding the Holocaust is crucial for recognizing the dangers of unchecked power, the corrosive effects of prejudice, and the human cost of indifference. At its core it was a systematic act of dehumanization, a process that allowed people to view others as less than human, allowing indifference, complicity and violence to flourish. It wasn’t an act of spontaneous brutality, it was planned, organized, and executed with frightening efficiency. The Nazis rose to power by exploiting existing prejudice, using propaganda and lies to scapegoat minorities, painting them as a threat to society, chipping away human rights and ultimately creating an environment where the unthinkable could happen.
Remembering the Holocaust is thus an act of profound reverence, acknowledging the unfathomable pain and suffering endured by its victims. To remember their names, their stories, and their humanity is to ensure they are not reduced to mere statistics in history but recognized as individuals who lived, loved, and deserved their place in the world. This act of remembrance is vital in preserving their legacy and instilling its lessons in future generations.
It is also worth mentioning that remembrance is not just about looking backward. It’s about looking forward. It is a commitment to shaping a just and equitable future. Understanding the consequences of unchecked hatred can serve as a beacon, guiding efforts to ensure history does not repeat itself. While it may be tempting to view the Holocaust as a distant atrocity, the prejudices and attitudes that enabled it still linger, even within modern communities, reminding us that vigilance and education remain essential. This responsibility does not rest solely with academics or historians—it belongs to everyone. Individuals can educate themselves through books, films, and museums, engage with survivor testimonies, and support organizations dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance.
The 80th anniversary is also a poignant reminder that the last survivors with their invaluable stories are aging and declining in number. Their stories are powerful, profoundly moving, and essential for understanding of the past. As they pass on, it becomes increasingly important for those who did not experience it firsthand to become the custodians of their memory. It is now the responsibility of future generations to preserve their stories and ensure they continue to educate and inspire.
On this day, let the tragedy of the Holocaust serve as a catalyst to honor its lessons and ensure they are never forgotten. In remembering the darkness, we uncover the light that guides us toward hope, understanding, and a more compassionate world. It is through this reflection that future generations can be inspired to carry forward the lessons of the past, fostering unity, empathy, and a commitment to preventing such atrocities from ever occurring again. Let us bring this moment to a close with the words of my poem, a reflection of our shared commitment to remembrance and hope:
Not just a camp, a barbed wire space,
But lives like yours, a loving face.
A number inked, a soul untold,
Stories silenced, still growing cold.
Eighty years, the echoes stay,
Let’s light a candle on this day.
For the lives lost, for the tears shed,
For the voices that lingered in dread