Remarks by Roman Kent, V.P., International Auschwitz Committee
Chairman, American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors
Opening of Exhibits at U. N. Headquarters – January 18th , 2005-08-23 Commemorating 60th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz

As a prisoner in Auschwitz, just attempting to stay alive in my hopeless day-to-day existence, I could never dream that sixty years later I would be standing here before you at the United Nations opening an exhibit about Auschwitz.

What ist Auschwitz? Surely, it is much more than a word. Now it ist a symbol ... a symbol of evil. Let me put it another way. When speaking about World War II, we soon realize that “Auschwitz” has acquired a meaning of its own. It represents first and foremost the most terrible form of evil; the worst that mankind can offer.

No matter how much one studies, how many books one reads, how many survivors one talks to, or how many degrees one receives in the study of the Holocaust, the non-survivors can never even get a partial picture of the agony, brutality and bestiality that occurred daily in the concentration camps. Auschwitz is the prime example. What happened there ist totally inconceivable, beyond man’s wildest imagination, and as such, it can only become an abstract for the non-survivor.

How can one document the smell of burning flesh which filled the air? How can one describe the living skeletons, still alive just skin and bones? How could one hear their voices, touch them, console them, give them medical assistance and nourishment? General Eisenhower, when entering one of the many concentration camps, summed up his impression as follows:

“The thing I saw defied description ... The visual evidence and testimony of starvation, cruelty, and bestiality were so overpowering, I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever in the future there develops a tendency to change these allegations to propaganda.”

Many of us came to Auschwitz not knowing each other in life, but many of us left together in the form of blue smoke emanating from the chimneys. The few of us who were fortunate enough to have survived can neither forgive nor forget. Forgiveness can be granted only by the ones who were murdered, and they are dead and their voices can no longer be heard.

We living survivors dare not forget the millions who were murdered. For if we were to forget, then the conscience of mankind would be buried alongside the victims. Thus, it is the destiny of survivors and the German nation to carry the burden of this horrendous crime from now to eternity.

It is also our obligation to instill in our children what happens when prejudice an hatred are allowed to flourish. It ist my conviction that only through education can such a calamity be prevented from ever happening again. We must teach our children tolerance and understanding at home and in school. For tolerance cannot be assumed ... it has to be taught. We must instill in our children that hate is never right, and love is never wrong. That is the reason why we are working with numerous young students to prepare this exhibit and teach them the meaning of tolerance.

Lately, the world was greatly distressed and saddened by the unfortunate events which took place in southeast Asia as a result of the horrific Tsunami that unexpectedly swept over numerous countries.

The devastation and heartbreak caused by this overwhelming tragedy, in locations such as Thailand and Indonesia, become evident to us due to the in-depth reporting of the press and the vivid images appearing on our television screens. The comprehensive coverage has kept us informed and is indeed more than praiseworthy.

I must also acknowledge the significant contribution of the United Nations, the individual governments, and the public at large for their immediate response to help those in need. It is truly heartwarming to see how mankind has come to the aid of others when needed. People wanted to help alleviate the pain and suffering of the hundred of thousends who were left hungry and homeless because of a catastrophe beyond anyone’s control.

As a survivor standing here today commemorating the 60th anneversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, I cannot help but think back to the time of the Holocaust and question why the same response was not available to us in our time of need. After all, in Auschwitz alone, 10.000 human beings were killed daily; no not killed, brutally murdered and burned to death.

At that time, why in heaven’s name was there no widespread recognition of the brutal acts being perpetrated against their fellow men on a daily basis? For the facts were known. With a proper immediate response, surely much of what transpired could have been prevented. What occured during the Holocaust was not a result of mother nature. It was man’s inhumanity to man at its highest level.

In a simplistic way, I can say in one word why the tragedy of Auschwitz happened ... that word ist “indifference”. For the world knew, the facts were known, just as they were known about the atrocities in Biafra, Kosovo, etc. and yet the world did nothing.

Maybe now we are experiencing an awakening, and maybe today the world is finally changing for the better. It seems that there is visible proof of compassion and involvement instead of indifference. This is progress! Thus, I want to hope against hope that there is a brighter future for mankind. Perhaps we are finally realizing that we all live togeter on the same planet, and we are all one people.

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