Official commemorations marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in South Africa
27.01.2020
On the initiative of the Holocaust & Genocide Centre in Johannesburg and in cooperation with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria, official commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of KL Auschwitz was held on 27 January 2020.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, including the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, academic and think – takn representatives, the Jewish diaspora, the media as well as the most important guests - Holocaust Survivors and their families.
The theme of this year's celebration, appearing in all speeches, was an appeal to preserve the memory for future generations and spread knowledge about the Holocaust, as well as not to remain indifferent to the tragedy and unimaginable crimes that took place during World War II.
During the ceremony, the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Lior Keinan, presented the Righteous Among the Nations award to the Rinske van den Brink family, whose ancestors from the Netherlands, at risk of their lives, saved Jewish fellow citizens.
The Holocaust Survivors and a representative of the Rinske van den Brink family lit candles as a sign of solidarity with millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust and as a sign of hope for respect for human life.
Due to the importance of the place and the importance of the symbol, which is the former KL Auschwitz-Birkenau camp for the whole world, the United Nations General Assembly established January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the camp, the International Day of Remembrance for Holocaust Victims.
On this special day it also becomes important to emphasize the importance of the statement of the bishops of Europe who appeal to all nations of the world with the call "This anniversary we appeal to the modern world for reconciliation and peace, for respect for the right of every nation to existence and to freedom, independence and preservation own culture. We cannot allow the truth to be ignored or manipulated for immediate political needs. This appeal is extremely important now, because - despite the dramatic experiences of the past - the world in which we live is still subject to new threats and manifestations of violence. Cruel wars, genocide, persecution, and various forms of fanaticism are still taking place, even though history teaches us that violence never leads to peace, but causes another violence and death. " Never again!
Photo: Grażyna Koornhof / Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria