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A series of events of Honor and Remembrance, held on Sunday 27 January 2013 around the world, marked this year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In 2005, the UN, by its resolution, designated the symbolic date of the liberation of the Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, 27.1.1945, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Holocaust survivors, political and religious leaders who united their voices and prayers gathered at the site of Auschwitz again this year so that the world will not relive atrocities such as the genocide of the Jews planned and implemented by the Nazis during the Second World War.Memorial services and laying of wreaths were held across Europe, such as in Warsaw, at the Monument to Fighters of the Ghetto Uprising. In Brussels, at the headquarters of the European Parliament, the event was co-organized by the European Jewish Congress, and took place on 22.1.13, with the speaker being the president of the E.K. Martin Schulz. In Moscow, the related event took place for the first time at the Jewish Museum and Center for Tolerance, which opened its doors to the public last November.
"Germany will forever bear responsibility for the crimes of National Socialism and above all for the crime of the Holocaust," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her message for the Day.
"While today is a day of mourning and reflection, it is also a time for action," said US President Barack Obama.
Pope Benedict, during his Sunday sermon in St. Peter in the Vatican warned humanity "to be ever vigilant to avoid the repetition of the murderous crimes of racism", and made special reference to the Jewish people "whom the tragedy has affected most of all".
This year's UN theme "Rescue during the Holocaust: the Courage to Care" was chosen as a tribute to those who risked their lives to save Jews and others from certain death under the Nazi yoke. All of them had something in common: courage, compassion and moral principles. As characteristically pointed out in his message, the governor of the UN Ban Ki-moon: "Let us remember all the innocent people who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Let all those who had the courage to care, the everyday people who with their admirable deeds defend human dignity, become a source of inspiration. Their example can help us today to build a better world".
EVENTS in GREECE
Since 2004, when the Greek Parliament passed a law defining the 27η January as the "National Day of Remembrance of the Greek Jewish Martyrs and Heroes of the Holocaust", the Day of Remembrance is commemorated with a series of events organized in various cities of the country by the local regions with the cooperation of the Israeli Communities.
Interesting initiatives, such as the thematic night of Greek Television with documentaries, interviews with historians and survivors, film screenings, the program of activities of the Jewish Museum of Greece with educational and interactive programs as well as exhibitions, the exhibition of historical documents of the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, are some of this year's activities dedicated to the Holocaust.
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Official ceremonies were held in Ioannina on 26.1.13, in Thessaloniki (photo) on Sunday 27.1.13 at the Holocaust Memorial, with a memorial service, speeches by officials and laying of wreaths. In Athens, the events started today, 28.1.2012, with the laying of wreaths at the Holocaust Memorial and will continue in the afternoon with a Remembrance event that will take place in the theater of the Greek World Cultural Center with the theme "Does history teach?". The commemorative events will follow in Larissa, on 29.1.13 and in Volos on 10.2.13.
Message from the "NO Day Foundation" in Washington
Commemorating the Greek Jews who perished in the Holocaust, the NO Day Foundation of Washington - established by Greek organizations in the USA to promote the history of Greece and the heroic struggle against Fascism and Nazism in World War II War- issued a meaningful Message on the tragic anniversary of the 27th January. The Message states, among other things:
“Our thoughts and prayers go out today to the Jewish community as we remember the more than six million Jewish and other victims of this terrible evil.
We Greeks have a special duty on this Day: We must keep alive the memory of those who perished, especially the Greeks, and at the same time strongly oppose all forms of anti-Semitism and hatred, as well as draw inspiration from the brave actions of many Greeks during the during the Holocaust...".
The message mentions the unique in European historical examples of heroic attitude of the Occupied Archbishop of Athens Damascenes, Metropolitan Zakynthos and Metropolitan Demitriados, and concludes by emphasizing: "...The Holocaust reminds us that unspeakable evil can exist. For Jewish friends, for ourselves and for all mankind, we can never forget."
