“Auschwitz has become a symbol of the suffering inflicted by the Nazi regime,” President Karis remarked. “It serves as a warning to us to remember those dark and painful times, and the terrible crimes against humanity which were committed. Remembrance and commemoration are a duty we owe to future generations.”
The head of state added that the shadow of totalitarian regimes hangs over the world to this day. “We must speak out about all such heinous crimes and resist every attempt to justify or downplay them,” he urged. “That will give people hope that similar horrors can be prevented in the future.”
President Karis stressed the importance of remembrance and of understanding the past. “Totalitarian impulses and imperial aspirations lead to nothing but fear and suffering,” he said. “The illusions of a better future and the simple solutions offered by such regimes bring only pain and cruelty. To stop such impulses and aspirations from being realised, we must preserve free thought and free speech and remember the crimes of totalitarian regimes as a warning to us all.”
The ceremony in Poland was attended by high-level representatives from around 60 countries. Royal invitees included King Charles III of the United Kingdom, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Crown Prince Håkon of Norway and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
Other heads of state in attendance were President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, President Sergio Mattarella of Italy, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, President Alexander Stubb of Finland and President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia.
