The news in Polish
W 80. rocznicę wyzwolenia obozu Auschwitz-Birkenau odbyły się uroczystości w Polsce. Udział wzięli m.in. ocalali oraz liderzy światowi, jak król Karol III i kanclerz Niemiec Olaf Scholz. Były przemówienia i modlitwy. Upamiętniono ofiary Holocaustu i podkreślono potrzebę edukacji o tej tragedii. Pamiętano też o 6 milionach Żydów , którzy zginęli.
Translation
On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, ceremonies were held in Poland. Among those in attendance were survivors and world leaders, such as King Charles III and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Speeches and prayers were part of the commemoration. The victims of the Holocaust were honoured, and the need for education about this tragedy was emphasised. The remembrance also included the six million Jews who perished.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Who attended the 80th anniversary commemoration of Auschwitz liberation?
Survivors and world leaders like King Charles III and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended.
Question 2: What was highlighted during the commemoration ceremonies?
The need for education about the Holocaust and the memory of the 6 million Jews who died were highlighted.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌27/01/2025
The 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was marked by solemn ceremonies in Poland. Key international figures, including survivors, gathered to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and honour those who perished.
The main commemoration was held on a Monday afternoon at Auschwitz II-Birkenau, attended by about 3,000 people, including 50 survivors. The event was guarded under the honorary patronage of Poland's President Andrzej Duda. This important occasion saw the presence of royalty and global leaders, such as King Charles III and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Events began earlier in the day, with survivors laying wreaths and lighting candles by the Wall of Death at Auschwitz I. This was a place where numerous executions, mostly of Poles, took place during the camp's operation. The main ceremony, conducted under a large tent encompassing the historic gates of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, primarily featured speeches from former prisoners and leaders from various delegations.
80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Commemorated (Illustration)
Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, and other dignitaries also spoke, emphasizing the need for ongoing remembrance and education about the Holocaust's immense atrocities. Participants from around 60 countries, including the United States, Germany, and several European nations, were also present at the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with interfaith prayers, which included the recitation of the Kaddish and Psalm 42. Attendees paid tribute at a historic railway wagon, symbolizing the deportations to the camp, standing as a stark reminder of the systematic genocide carried out by the Nazis.
Although numerous countries took part in the commemorations, there was noticeable absence of Russian representatives. Russian Ambassador Sergey Andreev stated that Russia chose to commemorate the anniversary independently, citing disagreements over the event's narrative regarding the camp's liberation by the Soviet Red Army.
Overall, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 27th, serves as a powerful reminder to remember the 6 million Jews and millions of Poles, Romani people, and others who were victims of the Nazi regime. The history of Auschwitz, where over 1.1 million people were murdered, remains a central symbol of the Holocaust's horrors, pressing the importance of learning from history to prevent future atrocities.
Info: "Polish Learner News" is a service from "Let's Learn Polish", a dedicated language school offering various types of online Polish courses. Designed to support those aiming to learn Polish, our programme includes resources and insights tailored for learners at all levels.
Advanced: Reports from Poland
- Russians Boycott Auschwitz Liberation Ceremony: "We Don't Need This" (Onet.pl)
- 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau: Celebration Plans Revealed (Interia.pl)
- 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau: Commemorative Events with King Charles III and Olaf Scholz (TVN24.pl)