2026 Holocaust Remembrance and Education
A portrait of Emanuel Rosenthal, age two, and his brother, Avram, age five in the Kovno ghetto, Lithuania, February 1944. They wear distinctive badges imposed by the Nazis as a way to identify and isolate Jews. The little boys’ uncle, Shraga Wainer, had asked fellow ghetto prisoner, George Kadish to photograph the boys. Weeks later, both children were murdered in the "Children's Action” of 27-28 March. Wainer and Kadish survived the Holocaust. After the war, Kadish gave a copy of the photograph to Wainer in the Landsberg displaced persons camp. The photograph endures, reflecting an uncle’s love and an insistence on preserving humanity against the antisemitic efforts to erase it. Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Shraga Wainer.
Theme: Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights
The theme, “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights” will guide United Nations Holocaust remembrance and education in 2026. Remembrance dignifies the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. It keeps alive their memories of the communities and traditions and loved ones the Nazis sought to erase. The Holocaust warns us of the deadly consequences of antisemitism and hatred, dehumanization and apathy left unchallenged. Over eighty years after the Holocaust, we witness daily assaults on our fellow global citizens. Antisemitism and hatred surge. Denial and distortion of the Holocaust persist. Remembrance of the Holocaust defies denial and distortion, rejects falsehoods, confronts hatred, and insists on the humanity of the victims. The defence of universal rights is essential for sustainable peace and lies at the heart of the United Nations. In remembering the victims of the Holocaust, we affirm our shared humanity and pledge to defend the dignity and human rights of all.
Calendar of Events
January | February | March | April
15 January - 20 February 2026
Exhibition: Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue during the Holocaust
Visitors' Lobby, United Nations Headquarters
The exhibition brings together the stories of survivors and rescuers and explores the complexity of human relationships during the Holocaust, specifically during the Second World War. The exhibition includes testimonies from thirteen European countries and includes the actions of diplomats in eleven countries. The exhibition provides a glimpse of the broader historical context to deepen an understanding of the very different local possibilities for survival and rescue efforts.
The exhibition was curated by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), in cooperation with the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw and the Silent Heroes Memorial Center in Berlin.
15 January - 6 February 2026
Exhibition: Holocaust Remembrance - A Commitment to Truth
Visitors' Lobby, United Nations Headquarters
Through survivor testimony and photographs, this exhibition documents the systematic persecution and destruction of Jewish families, communities, and traditions by the Nazis and their collaborators. The exhibition bears witness to the suffering of Roma and Sinti, and of other groups targeted by racist hatred and supremacist ideology. The exhibition illustrates the courage of victims to resist dehumanization and those who tried to help.
The exhibition was curated by the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, United Nations Department of Global Communications.
Exhibition: Lest We Forget
Visitors' Lobby, United Nations Headquarters
This exhibition provides glimpses of moments of kindness and compassion, of life enjoyed, and of the intimate connections that existed in Jewish families and communities before the Holocaust. The photographs stand as stark evidence of the deep and terrible loss and destruction wrought by the Nazis and their racist collaborators during the Holocaust, in their attempt to destroy all trace of Jewish life, tradition, communities, homes, families and individuals. The photographs reflect the humanity of the victims of the Holocaust, and underline the scale of the destruction of the Nazis and their racist collaborators. The photographs remind us of our common humanity, and our responsibility to defend the right of all to live with dignity and in peace.
The exhibition was curated by the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, United Nations Department of Global Communications.
Monday, 26 January 2026
Panel Discussion: Technology, Memory, and the Future of Holocaust Remembrance
By invitation only
A high-level panel explored how emerging technologies, including AI, gaming, and VR, can preserve Holocaust memory, counter denial and distortion, and combat the spread of hate. Invited speakers included Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Director, The Landecker Digital Memory Lab, University of Sussex and Mr. Luc Bernard, Game designer, The Light in the Darkness. Ms. Yfat Barak-Cheney, Executive Director, Institute for Technology and Human Rights, World Jewish Congress moderated the discussion.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Film Screening and Discussion: The Last Ones of Auschwitz
By invitation only
This 70-minute documentary presents the powerful testimonies of Holocaust survivors, with a special focus on those who survived Auschwitz. The documentary brings together 28 of the very last witnesses of this camp. The film traces the harrowing journey of the survivors and presents their perspective on the present.
Thursday, 29 January 2026
Holocaust Remembrance Today - A Living Responsibility: A Panel Discussion in Conjunction with the Exhibition Between Life and Death. Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust at the United Nations
7:00 p.m. EST, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, 15 W 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
Holocaust survivor Elżbieta Ficowska and historians Jay Winter, Daniel Blatman and Mordecai Paldiel explored how Holocaust remembrance has evolved, how stories of rescuers and survivors can be shared with younger generations, and how challenges such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and fading living memory can be addressed. Tracey Petersen, Manger of the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, moderated the discussion.
The discussion was jointly organized by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the Center for Jewish History, together with the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme. It was supported by the Sousa Mendes Foundation.
Thursday, 23 April 2026
Virtual Discussion: Older Jews and the Holocaust
Join the online discussion “Older Jews and the Holocaust” with historians Dr. Christine Schmidt (The Wiener Holocaust Library, London), Dr. Elizabeth Anthony (USHMM, Washington, DC), and Dr. Joanna Sliwa (Claims Conference, New York), co-editors of the newly released book, Older Jews and the Holocaust: Persecution, Displacement, and Survival. During the Holocaust, older Jews were among the most vulnerable, frequently the first the Nazi regime targeted, and the least likely to survive. Yet their experiences remain underexamined. Older Jews and the Holocaust: Persecution, Displacement, and Survival is an important contribution to the history. The historians will discuss how age and physical ability made older adults especially susceptible to violence and death, while also illuminating their lives and moments of agency amid devastating circumstances.
Secretary-General's Message on the International Day of Commemoration
in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
Statements
Remarks by His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Remarks by Her Excellency Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly
Recording of the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Observance
2026 Holocaust Remembrance Activities around the World
Africa | Americas | Asia and Pacific | Europe and the CIS
In 2026, more than 22 United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) organized events and activities in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), United Nations Information Service (UNIS) and United Nations Offices (UNOs) including Abuja, Accra, Antananarivo, Bogotá, Brazzaville, Brussels (The Netherlands Desk Office), Buenos Aires, Geneva, Kyiv, La Paz, Lima, Lusaka, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Nairobi, Panama City, Prague, Pretoria, Tokyo, Vienna and Warsaw organized or participated in Holocaust remembrance activities and events. The UNICs also promoted the International Day and the United Nations Secretary-General’s message through their websites and social media.
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme supported the UNICs with thematic guidance and educational resources.
Africa
Abuja, Nigeria
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Abuja organized an educational outreach event with more than 400 students at Start‑Rite Schools to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
Through a drama presentation, the students highlighted the consequences of hatred, discrimination and indifference, connecting the history of the Holocaust to today’s challenges. At the educational briefing, UNIC Abuja underscored that Holocaust education is not only about remembrance, but about building a more just, tolerant, and resilient future, reinforcing the global message of saying No To Hate.
Accra, Ghana
On 27 January 2026, a ceremony was held in Ghana to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, under the theme “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.” Hosted by the Embassy of Israel in Ghana and the Embassy of Germany in Ghana in collaboration with the United Nations in Ghana, the observance was attended by students, religious leaders, representatives of the United Nations and Government officials to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
UNIC Accra, as part of the planning team, supported event planning and coordination, provided media coverage, including photography, and amplified the event's messaging on social media.
Antananarivo, Madagascar
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Antananarivo organized a screening of the documentary film The Last Ones of Auschwitz at the RASALAMA Institution, bringing together more than 200 young participants from universities, colleges, as well as teachers. The event aimed at educating about the Holocaust and allowed participants to witness the lived experiences of survivors, with the overarching goal of preventing such history from ever repeating itself.
The event opened with a brief presentation on the Holocaust to provide historical context and highlight the importance of remembrance. This was followed by the screening of the film and an interactive discussion session. During the debate, young participants shared their reflections and explored ways to transform this memory into actions. The conversations particularly addressed the dangers of misinformation, disinformation, hatred, and discrimination - factors that could lead to mass atrocities. Participants engaged thoughtfully in the discussions, demonstrating strong interest in the topic and a commitment to fostering a culture of peace and vigilance against all forms of discrimination.
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Brazzaville marked International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust with a film screening and discussion of The Last Ones of Auschwitz held in partnership with the Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
Mr. Prosper Mihindou-Ngoma, National Information Officer, UNIC Brazzaville; Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Republic of the Congo; and Professor Goma Thethet, Historian at the Marien Ngouabi University spoke at the film screening. Approximately 100 students attended the event and engaged actively in the discussion.
Lusaka, Zambia
On 17 February 2026, the United Nations in Zambia in partnership with the Embassy of Israel in Zambia, hosted a solemn event to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The event, held at the Zambia Italian Cultural Centre in Lusaka, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the Jewish community in Zambia, the diplomatic corps, and senior government officials. The audience also included learners from the Italian International School, Lusaka Girls, Chilenje South, and Libala Stage 3 secondary schools, alongside Youth United Nations Association chapters from Zambia Centre of Accountancy Studies, Levy Mwanawasa University, the University of Zambia, University of Lusaka and Chreso University.
Remarks were delivered by Ms. Etambuyu Anamela-Gundersen, Permanent Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia; Mr. James Wakiaga, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (representing Ms. Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia); Her Excellency Ms. Ofra Farhi, Ambassador of Israel to Zambia; and Ms. Blessing Bwalya, youth advocate. Ms. Lea Micha from Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center delivered a virtual keynote presentation from Israel on the history of the Holocaust.
The event also featured a moment of silence, a candle lighting ceremony, and the Kaddish (prayer). Guests viewed a video explainer titled What is the Holocaust? and the exhibition Shoah: How was it Humanly Possible? showing the evolution of the Holocaust and its devastating impact on those targeted by the Nazi regime. Both materials were curated by Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
Narobi, Kenya
On 27 January 2026, the United Nations Office at Nairobi hosted an observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Ms. Sandra Macharia, Director of United Nations Information Service Nairobi served as the moderator. The observance featured Ms. Wanda Helena Albinski, Holocaust survivor; Ms. Zainab Bangura, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON); His Excellency Mr. Gideon Behar, Ambassador of Israel to Kenya; His Excellency Mr. Sebastian Groth, Ambassador of Germany to Kenya; Her Excellency Ms. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya; Mr. Marcin Kubiak, Chargé d'affaires a.i., the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nairobi; Dr. David Silverstein, Head of the Nairobi Hebrew Congregation; and Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness, Deputy Director-General, Middle East Directorate, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.
The observance was followed by an interactive session between students, Ms. Wanda and the Deputy Ambassadors of Israel and German. The session was moderated by Ms. Sandra Macharia, Director of United Nations Information Service and Mr. Newton Kanhema, Deputy Director of United Nations Information Service Nairobi, and attended by over 500 guests. The exhibition Shoah: How was it Humanly Possible? curated by Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, was on display during the Holocaust Remembrance Week.
Pretoria, South Africa
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Pretoria participated in a Holocaust remembrance event at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre. The commemorative event was attended by diplomats, civil society representatives and other stakeholders. The Secretary-General’s video message on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust was screened. Mr. Nelson Muffuh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa represented the United Nations at the candle lighting ceremony, which was followed by a keynote address delivered by Professor Rolf Wolfswinkel, Professor of Modern History formerly affiliated with New York University and the University of Cape Town, and a screening of the film Lost City, which shows how Amsterdam’s tram system facilitated the deportation of 48,000 Jews, nearly half of the Netherlands’ Jewish population.
UNIC Pretoria also marked the International Day by amplifying the #NoToHate campaign across its social media platforms.
Americas
Bogotá, Colombia
On 27 January 2026, the Jewish community in Colombia organized an event in Puerto Colombia to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. During and after the Second World War, the Caribbean port town of Puerto Colombia served as a key arrival site for thousands of Jewish refugees, who later built new lives in Colombia. UNIC Bogotá provided the video message of the Secretary-General and also produced a video message by Mr. Juan Miguel Diez, Director of UNIC Bogotá.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
On 16 April 2026, UNIC Buenos Aires organized a special screening of the documentary film The Last Ones of Auschwitz in partnership with the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires and the Argentine Film Directors Association (DAC). The film screening marked Yom HaShoah and was attended by approximately 40 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps and government authorities, as well as United Nations personnel, museum representatives, and civil society organizations.
Ms. Claudia Mojica, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Argentina delivered opening remarks. Following the screening, Mr. Jonathan Karszenbaum, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum of Buenos Aires moderated a discussion, with the participation of Ms. Tamar Hahn, Director of the UNIC Buenos Aires, and Ms. Diana Wang, daughter of Holocaust survivors. The event created a meaningful space for reflection, dialogue, and intergenerational exchange on the legacy of the Holocaust and its relevance in today’s global context.
La Paz, Bolivia
On 27 January 2026, marking the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, a solemn observance was held at the Embassy of Germany in La Paz, Bolivia.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and representatives of the Jewish community. It featured the reading of the Secretary-General’s message on the International Day by Ms. Nidya Pesantez, UN Women Representative in Bolivia, remarks by Mr. Ricardo Udler, the President of the Círculo Israelita, the main Jewish organization in Bolivia, and a performance by Ms. Sachiko Sakuma and Ms. Daniela Pérez, musicians from the Plurinational Conservatory of Music in Bolivia.
Lima, Peru
On 28 January 2026, Ms. Rossana Dudziak United Nations Resident Coordinator in Peru delivered the Secretary-General’s message at the ceremony in observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremony was held at the Jewish Museum of Peru. Ms. Jane Anttila, Head of the national office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also attended in the ceremony, lighting a candle in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust. The event was attended by approximately 120 guests. UNIC Lima coordinated with the Embassy of Israel in Peru to facilitate the participation of Ms. Dudziak and Ms. Anttila in this event.
Mexico City, Mexico
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Mexico City shared an article and video about the story of Holocaust survivor Mr. Uri Shulevitz, recounting his childhood escape from Nazi‑occupied Poland and the journey his family undertook as refugees across the Soviet Union and Central Asia.
His memoir Chance: Escape from the Holocaust, is featured in the Mexico Chapter of the SDG Book Club, which comprises reading lists for children ages 6-12 from around the world that highlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the six UN official languages. Mr. Shulevitz’s memoir shows how art became his refuge and a source of resilience throughout his displacement. His lifelong dedication to illustration, even in extreme conditions, reflects the power of creativity to preserve memory and hope.
Panama City, Panama
On 27 January 2026, Ms. Ana Graça, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Panama, participated in the commemorative event of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The event was held in the National Assembly of Panama, and was jointly organized by the Embassy of Israel in Panama and the United Nations in Panama. Ms. Graça delivered the Secretary-General’s message on the International Day.
Asia and the Pacific
Manila, The Philippines
On 27 January 2026, Mr. Arnaud Peral, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, delivered remarks and participated in the candle lighting ceremony at the commemorative event of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The event was co-hosted with the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, the Embassy of Germany in the Philippines and the Department of Education of the Philippines.
Tokyo, Japan
UNIC Tokyo translated the Secretary‑General’s message for the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust into Japanese. The UNIC raised awareness of the International Day by publishing the translated message and on its social media platforms.
Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
Geneva, Switzerland
On 27 January 2026, the United Nations Office at Geneva marked the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, with the international community with a solemn observance that was also broadcast globally. The programme opened with a musical tribute by violinists Mr. Sergey Ostrovsky and Mr. Eliron Czeiger. Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service Geneva, welcomed participants before delivering the message of the United Nations Secretary‑General, António Guterres. The commemoration also featured remarks by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; His Excellency Mr. Daniel Meron, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office at Geneva; and His Excellency Mr. Michele Cervone D’Urso, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Holocaust survivor Ms. Leonie de Picciotto delivered the keynote address with the support of Mr. Daniel Johnson, United Nations Information Service Geneva.
Kyiv, Ukraine
UNO Kyiv produced a video message from Mr. Matthias Schmale, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. United Nations in Ukraine joined the international community to honour the victims of the Nazi regime through the Ukrainian campaign Six Million Hearts, by recording the video message and promoting it on social media.
Maastricht, The Netherlands
To mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January, the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, in cooperation with United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) and the United Nations Student Association Maastricht (UNSA) screened the documentary film The Last Ones of Auschwitz at UNU-MERIT.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Mr. Frédéric Crahay, Director of the Auschwitz Foundation in Belgium, Ms. Mila Paspalanova, Anti-racial Discrimination Advisor for Europe at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Dr. Julieta Marotta, Assistant Professor, UNU-MERIT. The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Marian Blondeel, Head of Benelux & EU Desk, United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe.
Speakers engaged with 50 students to discuss the resilience of survivors and intergenerational trauma, warning of the growing risks of Holocaust distortion and denial in the digital age and underscoring the need for historical research and inclusive legal systems that protect the human rights of vulnerable communities.
Moscow, Russian Federation
Mr. Vladimir Kuznetsov, Director of UNIC Moscow addressed the opening of the 25th Annual Conference of Students and Young Researchers on the Holocaust. In his remarks, he called on young researchers to continue their studies and underlined the role of the United Nations in keeping alive the memory of Holocaust.
The Director of UNIC Moscow also attended and addressed a memorial evening at the Shalom Theater in Moscow dedicated to the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, during which an award ceremony was held for the four winners of the 25th International Competition of Works on the Holocaust. The awards were presented to the laureates by the UNIC Director. The ceremony was part of the Holocaust Remembrance Week held yearly in various parts of Russia, where UNIC Moscow participated as an information partner.
On 27-28 January 2026, the Director of UNIC Moscow travelled to the city of Yekaterinburg to attend and address the opening of an exhibition titled The Butterfly Project: Remembering the Children of the Holocaust. The exhibition aimed at preserving the memory of children victims of the Holocaust in Russia’s major industrial, education and research hub in the Urals. The opening was the first in a series of events dedicated to Holocaust Remembrance in that region, which also included thematic panel discussions and lectures for students and young audiences. In particular, the UNIC Director read out the Secretary-General’s message on the International Day and interacted with local authorities in Yekaterinburg, bringing their attention to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and its work in the Russian Federation in various aspects.
Prague, Czech Republic
UNIC Prague translated the Secretary-General’s message on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust into Czech and promoted it on social media.
Vienna, Austria
On 26 January 2026, the documentary film The Last Ones of Auschwitz was screened by the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in Vienna, as part of the Ciné-ONU Vienna film series at the local arthouse cinema Top Kino. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with experts from the Mauthausen Memorial in Austria and Holocaust Remembrance initiatives. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Mr. Christian Dürr, Chief Curator of the Mauthausen Memorial, Ms. Shelly Eliaz, Representative of the Holocaust remembrance initiative Zikaron BaSalon and Rifka Junger, Advisor for the Prevention of antisemitism of the Parliament of Austria. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Sonja Wintersberger, Officer-in-Charge of UNIS Vienna.
On 27 January 2026, a commemorative event marking the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust took place at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The event was organized in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in Vienna, the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in Vienna, and the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme.
The event opened with an a cappella performance by Israeli singer, Ms. Hila Fahima of Each of Us Has a Name, followed by the lighting of the memorial candle by His Excellency Mr. Itay Tavor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations in Vienna. Chief Cantor Shmuel Barzilai recited the memorial prayer El Maleh Rachamim. Moderated by Ms. Sonja Wintersberger, Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Information Service Vienna, the event featured Mr. John Brandolino, Acting Director-General of UNOV, who read the message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; His Excellency Mr. David Roet, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations and International Organizations in Vienna; Her Excellency Ms. Hannah Liko, Director General for Political Affairs, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria; and Mr. Dani Dayan, Chair of Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Holocaust survivor Dr. Erika Freeman shared her personal account in a conversation with Ms. Danielle Spera, Austrian journalist and writer, offering a powerful testimony of loss, resilience and survival.
Participants were also invited to visit a poster exhibition Flashes of Memory: Photography Creating Perception During the Holocaust, curated by Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and to continue the day’s reflection by joining a second screening of the film The Last Ones of Auschwitz at the Vienna International Center, with opening remarks by His Excellency Mr. Itay Tavor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations in Vienna, and Mr. Howard Solomon, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the United States to International Organizations in Vienna.
UNIS Vienna also promoted via social media an interview with Holocaust survivor Mr. Dirk Peter Adler, which was recorded on 27 January 2025. Born in the Netherlands in 1940, Mr. Adler survived the Holocaust after being taken in by a Dutch family when he was two years old. In the interview, Mr. Adler gives a moving account of the impact that the Second World War and the Holocaust had on his life.
Warsaw, Poland
On 27 January 2026, UNIC Warsaw marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp and the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust by participating in a commemoration ceremony held at the Ghetto Heroes Monument in Warsaw.
The event featured remarks by Ms. Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland and Mr. David Szurmiej, Director of the Shalom Foundation. Ms. Aleksandra Szorc, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Warsaw, read the message from Mr. António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General. The Artists from Teatr Żydowski (The Ester Rachel and Ida Kaminska Jewish Theater) contributed to the ceremony, and an ecumenical prayer was led by priests from the the Jewish Confession Commune and representatives of the Churches present in Warsaw. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Poland, including of the Office of the President, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, embassies, foundations, and civil society organizations.
UNIC Warsaw also organized a special screening of the documentary The Last Ones of Auschwitz at Kino Kultura Warsaw, located in the city’s historic Old Town, close to the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto. Audience included representatives of embassies in Warsaw, the diplomatic corps, UN staff, members of the World Bank Group, and the general public.
UNIC Warsaw translated the United Nations Secretary-General's message on the International Day into Polish and promoted the video message with subtitles in Polish on social media.