On the first day of his working visit to the Republic of Poland, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in a dinner marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp. The event was attended by former prisoners of the camp and their families. In his speech, the Head of State emphasized that it was an honor and responsibility for him to meet with those who had survived the Holocaust and concentration camp.
On the first day of his working visit to the Republic of Poland, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in a dinner marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp. The event was attended by former prisoners of the camp and their families. In his speech, the Head of State emphasized that it was an honor and responsibility for him to meet with those who had survived the Holocaust and concentration camp.
"Probably, humanity has not yet come up with words that could describe the indestructibility and strength of your spirit," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the memoirs of Auschwitz prisoners, many of which are published in books, are very difficult to read because it is impossible to hold back tears.
"Most of these memories share the call: "Don't be silent!". One must speak about it. The younger generation must know these stories, know about the horrors of the Holocaust in order to never allow anything like this on the planet again,” he said.
According to the President, even reading the memoirs of Auschwitz prisoners requires strength. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine what strength you need to have to endure the horror of the concentration camp.
"You did it! You are incredible people! Very strong and very brave. You inspire to never give up. The Holocaust is called the darkest period in human history. And you are the rays of the sun that overcame the darkness,” the Head of State emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that those memories were filled with pain, sadness, fear. At the same time - struggle, endurance, hope and immense human wisdom. After all, they contain the call to eradicate hatred as the greatest destroyer of human civilization.
“I am convinced that this is the number one task for every world leader today. The international community should unite and prevent any manifestation of anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism. It must stand on the guard of humanism, tolerance and freedom. Stop evil before it becomes dangerous to humanity,” the President emphasized.
The Head of State also stressed that the Holocaust was a terrible tragedy for the Jewish people and a tragic lesson for mankind. He called for this page of history to be remembered and never to be repeated.
“This is our duty to millions of innocent victims, millions of Jews. It is our duty to all future generations,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted the Righteous Among the Nations. Those who were not indifferent and risked their own lives to save Jews.
"I am proud that more than two and a half thousand Ukrainians have been honored with this high title," the President said.
