As London commemorates the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation, the Mayor highlights the need to confront hatred and ensure the past is never forgotten.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, called on Londoners to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and the vital lessons it holds for today’s world. He warned that the rise of fake news and unregulated social media makes the work of Holocaust education organisations more essential than ever.
The Mayor is currently in Poland, attending the 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Alongside His Majesty the King, global leaders, and Holocaust survivors, Sadiq Khan is participating in a solemn service at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial, where they will honour the estimated 1.1 million victims of the camp, and the millions more who perished during the Holocaust.
“Auschwitz-Birkenau remains a symbol of Nazi brutality, a stark reminder of what can happen when hatred goes unchecked,” Khan said. “In a time when misinformation and division are growing, the importance of learning from history has never been more urgent.”
The Mayor has been a long-time supporter of Holocaust education, particularly through London’s contribution to preserving Auschwitz-Birkenau. In 2020, London provided a £300,000 grant to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to help maintain the site and protect the personal belongings of the victims, such as shoes, clothing, and eyeglasses. Last year, 1.8 million people visited the site, including 300,000 from the UK.
Khan’s visit to Auschwitz underscores his commitment to educating future generations about the atrocities of the Holocaust and the importance of combating hate. “The proliferation of fake news and unregulated content on social media means that the work of organisations such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, Holocaust Educational Trust, and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is more vital than ever,” he added.
“The proliferation of fake news and unregulated content on social media means that the work of organisations such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, Holocaust Educational Trust, and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is more vital than ever.” – Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
Piotr M.A. Cywiński, President of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, expressed the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, particularly in an era of rising populism and hate speech. “Memory is a tool that guides us toward a better future,” Cywiński said. “Preserving the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau ensures that future generations learn from the past and reject hatred in all its forms.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, emphasised the urgency of Holocaust education, particularly as survivors age. “Ensuring the next generation understands the truth of the Holocaust is now more important than ever,” she said.
Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, praised Khan’s dedication to Holocaust commemoration, noting that his visit to Auschwitz highlights his ongoing commitment to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive for future generations.
