An alarming rise in anti-Semitic violence that is being fed from different sources, racial hatred and the despicable denigration of democracy. There are many ceremonies and occasions marking the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, to commemorate the origins and fates of those murdered there, and to remember the survivors. But – and this is something especially the survivors keep pointing out to us – remembrance must always stay focused on our present and our future as well.

Are we learning from history, and are we comprehending the signs of the times? These are questions that urgently need to be asked particularly in 2024, the year in which we in Germany are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the ending of National Socialist terror, the founding of the Basic Law which begins with the unmistakeably clear statement, also in recognition of the horrors of Auschwitz: "Human dignity is inviolable."

It is with this in mind that the city of Wolfsburg and the International Auschwitz Committee are joining together with all of the participating organisations in 2024 to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day in a ceremony at the Wolfsburg "Hallenbad-Kultur am Schachtweg" on Wednesday, 24 January 2024.

We are happy to invite you to this ceremony and look forward to seeing you there.

Program

Venue

Hallenbad Kultur am Schachtweg
Wolfsburg

18.00 hrs
Admission
In the foyer of the indoor pool, Wolfsburg initiatives will provide information about commemorative activities and the topic of democracy.

19.00 hrs
Greetings
Dennis Weilmann Lord Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg
Christoph Heubner Executive Vice President International Auschwitz Committee
Daniela Cavallo Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG
Falko Mohrs Minister for Science and Culture of the State of Lower Saxony
Rabbiner Yakov Yosef Harety Orthodox Jewish Community of Wolfsburg

Cultural contributions
Atakan Koçtürk Muslim and Dimitri Tukuser Liberale Jüdische Gemeinde Wolfsburg - Region Braunschweig e.V.
Volkswagen AG trainees (Ines Doberanzke)
Pupils from Wolfsburg schools
VFL Wolfsburg
Jürgen Beck-Rebholz Head of Young Theater, Scharoun Theater Wolfsburg
Dancing Theater Wolfsburg

Closing of the event
Iris Bothe City Councillor for Youth, Education, Integration and Social Affairs

Musical accompaniment
Sarah Nonnenmacher (vocals)

Registration
Please send your registration by January 15, 2024 by email to
amelie.dahmer(iak)stadt-wolfsburg.de or by telephone on 0157 1047507.

Download Invitation with Program in German (pdf)