"Do not be indifferent" – my reflections

The major international commemoration event of 75th anniversary of the Liberation of German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp Auschwitz was organized at the Auschwitz Memorial on 27th January.

Auschwitz Survivors were the most important guests of that event. One of them, Marian Turski, delivered address which will stay in memory of many. He turned especially to the young generation warning them that the horror of Auschwitz didn't happen just out of a sudden, "didn't fall from the sky". On the contrary, it was becoming possible slowly step by step, compromise after compromise, ignoring "little" signs of violation, discrimination, taking away basic rights from those who represented minorities. It all started from little things, after all, even the notice "Not for Jews" placed on the branches in parks in Berlin in the 30s, didn't seem to be wrong, since there were a lot of other branches to sit on.

His words were simple but the message they conveyed strong and clear: If we do not want it to happen again we all shouldn't be indifferent, shouldn't stand by and observe but always be ready to react when we see the violation of human rights, intolerance, contempt. I found the main notion of this event universal and contemporary. It convinces me again how important the topic of our project is. I reflected on the testimonies of Auschwitz survivors and their powerful addresses the new generation. Social exclusion leads only to evil, social inclusion gives hope - doesn't it sound similar to what we are reading in Anne Frank Diary ?

Marian Turski encourages us to believe that "do not be indifferent" is like the eleventh commandment! So let's remember the past, think about tomorrow and react in the present.

Watch the whole coverage in English: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20200127-auschwitz-75-years-on-do-not-be-indifferent-says-death-camp-survivor-marian-turski

Credits photos: AFP, Wojtek Radwański; AP Photo/ Markus Schreiber