TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — On January 27th, 1945, Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated.
This year marks the 80th anniversary and CANDLES Holocaust Museum, in Terre Haute, wanted to do something special.
The museum, led by Executive Director Troy Fears, took a group of 45 people to Poland for an anniversary ceremony.
“Being able to be at the ceremony was kind of a humbling experience”, Fears said. “To look back at the history of what happened 80 years ago but also look forward to the future at where our world is heading from where it’s been.”
At the camp, the group was able to take part in a candlelight ceremony as well as tour the grounds.
However, for CANDLES, the place reminds them of what their founder, Eva Kor, went through.
“As a group, we were able to visit Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz 2”, Fears said. “We got to retrace Eva’s footsteps and talk about her. Her son, Alex Kor, who is a member of our board was there. He told many stories about Eva’s time at Auschwitz. We also were able to visit the orphanage, which Eva went to right after she was liberated.”
The ceremony only takes place every five years, and as the liberation date grows farther in time, Fears said he will always remember getting to share the experience with survivors.
“There were about 50 survivors there and, to be honest, I feel like that may be the last time that many survivors are at the ceremony”, Fears said. “Obviously they’re getting older and passing away. It was a privilege to be able to be at the ceremony, talk to some survivors, hear their stories, and look towards the future. Hopeful that we remember the past but also make sure that never happens again in the future.”
Fears said there was about 3,000 dignitaries in attendance for the ceremony, including England’s King Charles and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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