Opinion | As Memory Becomes Legacy: Reflections from the 80th Commemoration of the Liberation of Auschwitz

Following her attendance at the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Lauder Fellow Pe'er Krut wrote a reflection on her experience originally published on Ultra Vires.

Five years ago, at the 75th commemoration of Auschwitz’s liberation, over 100 survivors attended. This year, only 50 remained. This stark decline underscores a sobering reality: Holocaust education will soon face the challenge of preserving history without its primary witnesses.

Last month, I had the profound honour of attending the 80th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland. It was a moment of profound personal reflection, but it further revealed to me the shared responsibility we all bear in preserving Holocaust memory. As survivors pass away, their direct memory and testimony fade. This is concerning at any time, but especially now, as antisemitism is rising globally. The power of a survivor’s firsthand account—of looking into their eyes and hearing their voice as they recount unspeakable horrors—is irreplaceable. With each loss, we move further from that immediacy, and the risk of distortion, denial, and forgetting grows. 

While world leaders—kings, presidents, and prime ministers—gathered at the event, the most powerful presence was that of the survivors themselves. Their voices, now more precious than ever, serve as a solemn reminder that the responsibility of remembrance is shifting to us. While the organizers could have easily asked attendees like King Charles or President Zelensky of Ukraine to speak, they chose instead to platform the remaining survivors, allowing them to, for possibly the very last time, share primary accounts of their experiences. Instead, I saw these dignitaries make space for these people to speak, and their silence and respect for these survivors spoke far louder than words. I knew, and they knew, that we were all experiencing something incredibly special and fleeting

Just weeks after speaking at the 80th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz, Holocaust survivor and relentless advocate Marian Turski passed away. Turski endured unimaginable horrors, yet he did not shy away from his suffering. Instead, he devoted his life to preserving Holocaust memory and advocating for human rights. Throughout his lifetime, he addressed the United Nations, marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and delivered a speech at the 80th commemoration—his final public address. I had the privilege of hearing him speak—a moment I will forever cherish—but his passing reinforced an undeniable truth: the guardians of memory are becoming fewer with each passing day. 

This concern was a recurring theme in Poland, where several survivors we spoke to expressed deep fears about the rising tide of antisemitism on campuses worldwide, as well as the growing prevalence of Holocaust denial and distortion. Many voiced their distress at leaving a world where antisemitism is at its worst level since they themselves endured the horrors of the Holocaust.

I am deeply grateful to the World Jewish Congress for this opportunity. Though weeks have passed, the lessons from Poland will remain with me for a lifetime. But memory is not passive—it demands action. In a time of rising hatred, remembrance is not merely reflection; it is a responsibility. The horrors of the past must never be forgotten, and the urgency of remembrance has never been greater. Now, it is our responsibility to ensure Holocaust memory transitions accurately and effectively to legacy. 

I know it can be difficult to engage with events beyond these four walls, as we become consumed by school and other commitments. However, I urge all of us to see this as a wake-up call—to take the time, even just a day, to reflect and act. The need has never been more urgent. With survivor voices dwindling, we—those who have heard their stories and those who have yet to—become the next generation of witnesses. Just next door, the Royal Ontario Museum is hosting an Auschwitz exhibition. It is our collective duty to engage with these histories, to bear witness, and to ensure their memory endures.

Remembrance is not just about the past. It is about safeguarding the future. Now and always, we must remember.