Buchenwald Liberation Anniversary Marked by Reflection and Disputes

The 80th commemoration highlighted survivor testimonies, rising antisemitism, and controversies over political discourse.

The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora was observed with survivor testimonies, speeches, and a new outdoor exhibition at the memorial site.
Former German President Christian Wulff warned against normalizing far-right ideologies like the AfD and called for active defense of democracy and human rights.
A controversy arose over the exclusion of philosopher Omri Boehm's planned speech following objections from the Israeli government, sparking debate over memory and political sensitivities.
A youth participant's reference to a 'genocide' in Palestine during a presentation led to public criticism and highlighted tensions in balancing historical memory with contemporary issues.
Survivor Naftali Fürst emphasized the moral responsibility of future generations to preserve Holocaust memory as the number of living witnesses continues to decline.