Today, 27 January 2025, is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the deadliest of the Nazi extermination camps, where more than a million people perished.
In 1945, when they opened the gates, Soviet troops found 7,000 starving, terrified prisoners.
Soldier Ivan Martynushkin said, “We saw emaciated, tortured, impoverished people. We could tell from their eyes that they were happy to be saved from this hell.”
During our travels, we met a young Dutch lady. During a conversation about politics, we mentioned the war. She said, “The war. The war. Why does everyone still go on about the war?”
We responded, “Our parents lived through and served in the war, and we were born only 20 years after it ended. It seemed very close to home.”
But 80 years on, the horror is fading from living memory.
Our parents are no longer with us, and 2025 is probably the last major anniversary where Holocaust survivors will be present, and able to pass down the lessons from history with their first-hand accounts of the atrocities which occurred in Nazi Germany.
With the rise of the right in Europe, the US, and elsewhere, with major genocides happening around the world, not least those distancing themselves from their nefarious acts because they suffered the Holocaust, it is so important that we remember.
Unfortunately, the only lesson the human race has ever learned from history is that we never learn lessons from history.
And as George Santanaya said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
When we visited Poland, I did not have the courage to visit Auschwitz, but if you would like to read about Mark’s experience there, you can find it here: Auschwitz-Birkenau – The Industrialisation of Genocide
World Wide Walkies 
Thank you so much for keeping this awful time in our common history alive and present, Jackie. It’s sad that the newer generations have no clue – or don’t care – about what happened, since it’s so “far removed.” Yet, it is very real, like you point out. It is incredible that the human race keeps repeating the same mistakes and never learns from history. More stupid than donkeys, we are!
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It defeats me, Liesbet. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome. Yet we consider ourselves the most intelligent beings on the planet.
Plus, I read a fabulous article by former war correspondent Fergal Keane yesterday on the secret to happiness – which he concluded is kindness and generosity.
The opposite of our world, which is becoming ever more chaotic and divided as it strides purposefully towards what it knows will be its doom!
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Dear Jacqui,
I visited Auschwitz with my son and Polish daughter in law.
I too was concerned it might have been sanitised into a tourist attraction. In fact I found our guide to be very respectful, no drama, just fact and a request not to take photos in certain particularly poignant locations including the crematorium in Auschwitz 1, the wall of death and the rooms containing the mounds of hair, shoes and possessions taken from the inmates.
There was coverage today on the BBC. The reporter commented on the silence. That was my lasting memory.
I still think it is worthwhile to visit, otherwise as Mark quoted in his report:
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.” (albert schweitzer)
Take care
Alice
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Hi Alice,
I’m sure a visit to Auschwitz was all the more poignant when you visited with Beata. Again, it brings events rather close to home.
Different guides perhaps bring a different perspective to a visit, and we all experience things differently.
I think it’s definitely worthwhile to go – I simply couldn’t bear to. I know what happened there, and just couldn’t face it. I find it too distressing. But certainly, it should never be forgotten and I’m glad Auschwitz still stands as a shocking reminder to us all about the consequences of intolerance, hatred, and the danger of putting a despot in charge.
Places do hold on to an atmosphere. It’s one of the things I enjoy about visiting historic sites – the resonance of the past.
I am sure that’s what you sensed in the silence.
Sending you and the family much love xx
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Thank you for writing this so important to remember and still so much hate in the world.
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Sadly, there is. I wish it could be different.
All you can do is try to spread a bit of kindness yourself, and hope that it’s catching!
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You’re right, the only lessons we learn are that we don’t learn. We’re going to Poland again this spring. It will be my 3rd time and this time I think we’ll visit Auschwitz. It will be difficult, which is why I’ve put it off. Especially now with what’s happening in politics around the world, it’s important to remember and maybe one day we will learn. Great post Jacqui, Maggie
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You’re braver than me, Maggie – I absolutely understand why you’ve put off going to Auschwitz.
I do wish the world would learn. But people are too easily duped with simple rhetoric, and don’t realise the inevitable outcome until it’s too late, unfortunately.
I think we’re in for a rough ride in the next few years.
Have a great trip to Poland, though. We came back that way last year and watched the film The Great Escape at Stalag Luft III. Definitely a highlight!
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Oh, what a good venue for the movie. Is that near Wroclaw?
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It’s in Żagań, which is about 2 hours drive (165 km) from Wroclaw.
It’s well worth a visit if you like such iconic and atmospheric sites.
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Thanks
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It actually seems that the world took note and perfected denial and revisions of history right in front of our eyes. Instead of being more critical of dogma, there is more acceptance of pure lies and gaslighting.
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You’re so right, sadly. Truth is no longer currency.
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So important to keep remembering this history. I’m completely stunned that history is scarily repeating itself at the moment and just incredulous that people in power aren’t noticing the similarities. We will never forget, nor our ancestors and will always stand up against racism. Thanks for sharing.
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I read an article in The Guardian that said that a frightening number (around 30%, depending on which European country was quizzed) of youngsters have never heard of the Holocaust, and a similar number of those who have think it was exaggerated.
Unfortunately, those in power seem to have been put there by people who fail to see that history is repeating, or they see that it is repeating, but consider nationalism and revanchism to be a good thing.
I’m encouraged that at least there are a few people around the world who have responded to my post who will join the resistance with me!
Thank you.
We need to remember.
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Thanks for this post Jackie. Sadly, you nailed it right here: “Unfortunately, the only lesson the human race has ever learned from history is that we never learn lessons from history.” ❤
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It is heartbreaking to think about. May we never forget.
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Why oh why, do we never learn.
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I knoooow!
And now we have Musk telling Germany to get over ‘past guilt’ and giving air time to the far right AfD leader, it’s more important than ever to remember and to LEARN!
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My son visited when he was in Poland with work and I think was more affected than he thought he would be. I imagine the silence would be very moving. Perhaps one day the ruins of Gaza or Syria will be visited by our descendants wondering how we let it happen.
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How do we continue to let it happen?
It’s just heartbreaking, but I feel so powerless when authoritarian leaders continue to receive the popular vote.
The way things are going, I wonder if our descendants will have anything left to visit: ‘Drill Baby Drill’ being the mantra of a man whose country is quite literally on fire! It was going to be hard enough to reach climate targets, but without the USA, the world’s second largest polluter, it will be nigh on impossible.
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