Germany Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Buchenwald Liberation

The ceremony highlighted Holocaust survivors' testimonies, rising far-right ideologies, and tensions over political influence on remembrance.

Fewer than a dozen Holocaust survivors attended the ceremony, reflecting the challenges of preserving memory as survivor numbers dwindle.
Former German President Christian Wulff warned of global radicalization and the resurgence of far-right ideologies, drawing parallels to pre-World War II conditions.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), now the largest party in Thuringia, was criticized for promoting historical revisionism and undermining Germany's remembrance culture.
The event faced controversy after philosopher Omri Boehm's planned speech was canceled following objections from Israeli officials over his criticism of Israel.
A performance by young French and German actors honored Holocaust victims and emphasized the importance of educating future generations about the atrocities.