Oświęcim--World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder was on hand at the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum for the inauguration of the site’s new Visitor Services Center which took place during the commemoration events marking 83 years since the first transport of Poles to the former death camp.
The new center includes the entrance building that houses a bookshop, a restaurant, a car park, and other facilities. The cinema hall, where visitors can watch an introductory film, has also been modernized.
A modern, three-story hostel is also being built next to the center. In the future, this accommodation facility will be available for volunteers, trainees, and those participating in extended study visits, conferences, and seminars.
These investments are implemented with funds from the European Regional Development Fund of the Polish state budget under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2014 - 2020, the support of Ronald S. Lauder and Joel and Ulrika Citron, a specific grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Museum's funds.
The project is intended to prevent the destruction of the historic building that housed the slaughterhouse and dairy during the camp's existence.
Learn more about the project from the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
