Zelensky honors history at somber Auschwitz anniversary ceremony
Volodymyr Zelensky was among dozens of foreign government representatives attending the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. When the President of Ukraine laid the memorial candle, there was applause. On his way back to his seat, the President had the opportunity to speak with Holocaust survivors.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, arrived in Kraków on Monday to take part in the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The central ceremonies began at 10:00 AM GMT in Auschwitz, with speeches from survivors being the main feature. The official part of the celebrations concluded with the ceremonial placing of memorial candles and paying tribute to the victims by survivors and heads of state and organisational delegations. They placed candles by a railway car, reminiscent of those used to deport prisoners to their deaths.
An unusual scene
Amidst the state representatives was the President of Ukraine. When Volodymyr Zelensky laid the memorial candle, it was a moving scene. The President approached with other delegates, but when it was his turn, the haunting music accompanying the ceremony was interrupted by applause.
This was not the only symbolic moment. Upon returning to his place, Zelensky was beckoned by survivors waving at him, with whom he shared a heartfelt exchange of words. They also exchanged gestures that seemed to convey support.
Personal experiences
Volodymyr Zelensky was born on 25th January 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, to a family of Ukrainian Jews.
Zelensky's family endured tragic events during World War II. His great-grandfather and three of his grandfather's brothers were murdered during the Holocaust. Volodymyr's grandfather, Semion (Szymon) Zelensky, served as an officer in the Red Army during the war. In 2020, during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of Auschwitz, President Zelensky shared his family's story, highlighting that three of his grandfather's four brothers were killed by the Nazis. The surviving brother ultimately led to Volodymyr's birth.
27th January is observed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day 80 years ago, the Red Army liberated the Auschwitz camp. It has become a symbol of the crimes committed by the Germans against the Jews, around 1 million of whom were exterminated there. It is also a place of martyrdom for Poles, Romani people, and individuals of other nationalities.
