King pays tribute to Holocaust survivors amid Auschwitz commemorations

In his remarks, the dignitary highlighted that the testimonies of Holocaust survivors give us the important lesson that we must “not remain idle when faced with violence and hatred” as he encountered individuals who endured one of the most tragic moments in human history.

Paid a visit to the core of Krakow's Jewish community as events got underway to honour the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

At the Jewish Community Centre (JCC), he spoke to the crowd, stating that it's essential to "remember the wrongdoings of the past" and to harness knowledge to "create a more considerate and compassionate world".

Survivors paying respects and tendering their respects by placing wreaths and candles at a commemorative location.

People have left tributes at the memorial to those who were killed at the Death Wall, a reconstructed site of the wall where around 5,000 Polish prisoners of conscience were put to death.

In a speech, President Duda stated "we Poles are the custodians of memory now" adding that we have a duty to protect the life histories of those who survived.

Later, the Princess of Wales will join her husband in London on Monday to pay their respects at a service commemorating the anniversary.

It is also anticipated that the religious and civic dignitaries joined by survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides will also give a public address at the service.

The King met with representatives of Krakow's Jewish Community and in a speech, he urged those present to mark the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation with great respect and reverence, calling it "a sombre and indeed a sacred moment".

He continued: "It's a moment that reminds us of the depths to which human nature can plummet when danger is overlooked for too long by the global community."

And it's a moment that reminds us to remember the remarkable stories of survivors like Lily Ebert, who sadly passed away in October, and who collectively showed us the importance of valuing freedom, speaking out against prejudice, and standing up to hate and violence whenever we see it.

He noted that these lessons could not be more critical in a country that has witnessed the "perilous resurgence of antisemitism" and continues to be beset by "conflict and upheaval".

The King said: "As the number of Holocaust survivors sadly dwindles with the passing of years, the burden of remembrance falls even more heavily upon our shoulders, and on those of generations yet to come."

The ongoing imperative of recalling the wrongs of history carries significant importance, ensuring our current path and ultimately forging our way ahead.

The ceremony focused on personal testimonies from the survivors, who shared their recollections and thoughts directly with their fellow leaders, heads of state and foreign dignitaries.

On the screens was displayed an image of a railway carriage referred to as a representation of the hardships endured by all who suffered in Auschwitz concentration camp.

Marian Turski, an Auschwitz survivor and a member of the International Auschwitz Commission, was the first to speak.

The elderly gentleman remarked: "I think our focus should now be on those countless innocent folk whose numbers amount to millions, those for whom we'll never know the depth of their suffering because they were obliterated in the chaos of the devastation."

He employs the term "Shoah", the Hebrew word for the Holocaust.

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