January 27: Honoring the International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Why January 27? 

On January 27, 1945, soldiers of the Soviet Red Army reached Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in the town of Oświęcim, located at an important railway junction. What they discovered was a scene of unimaginable suffering and devastation. The camp, which had operated as a centre of systematic extermination since 1942, was largely abandoned by the Nazis as they retreated from advancing Allied forces. However, over 7,000 prisoners, many of them gravely ill or dying, remained behind. 

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest site of mass murder during the Holocaust. More than 1.1 million people—predominantly Jews—were murdered there, alongside tens of thousands of Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet prisoners of war, and others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. Victims were sent to gas chambers upon arrival or subjected to inhumane forced labour, medical experiments, and starvation. 

The liberation of Auschwitz revealed the full scale of the Nazi crimes to the world, providing undeniable evidence of their genocidal policies. Testimonies from survivors and photographs taken by Soviet troops documented the systematic nature of the Holocaust, shocking an international audience and galvanizing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. 

Established by the United Nations in 2005, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day ensures that these crimes against humanity are remembered, its victims honoured, and its lessons passed on to future generations. January 27 is a date of global significance, the U.N. resolution for its introduction urges all countries to promote educational programs and combat antisemitism. The date serves as a reminder not only of the atrocities committed but also of the international community’s responsibility to confront hatred and genocide in all its forms. 

Auschwitz as a Symbol of Memory 

Auschwitz-Birkenau remains one of the most significant Holocaust memorial sites in the world. Declared a museum in 1947, it stands as a place of remembrance and education, visited by millions annually. The preservation of its barracks, ruins of gas chambers, and personal belongings of victims ensures that the horrors of the Holocaust remain tangible to future generations. 

Exhibits at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum include photographs, survivors’ testimonies, and recovered artefacts such as shoes, suitcases, and children’s toys. These items underscore the individual human stories behind the incomprehensible scale of loss. For visitors, the site is both a historical record and a powerful reminder of the consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and unchecked hatred. 

The museum also works internationally to advance Holocaust education. Its programs for teachers and students explore not only the history of Auschwitz but also the broader context of Nazi ideology, antisemitism, and genocide.   

Commemorative Activities 

Each year, commemorative events are held worldwide to honour the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. At Auschwitz-Birkenau, survivors and dignitaries gather for ceremonies that include moments of silence, wreath-laying, and survivors’ personal accounts. These events emphasize the importance of firsthand accounts in preserving Holocaust memory. 

For 2025, the theme “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights” has been announced, focusing on how the lessons of the Holocaust remain relevant to contemporary human rights issues. This theme underscores the connection between remembering the past and addressing present-day challenges like antisemitism, racism, and persecution.