Auschwitz Liberation Day

January 26, Sunday

Auschwitz Liberation Day is celebrated in the Netherlands on the last Sunday in January. On this day, the world remembers the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet troops in 1945. Auschwitz was one of the largest Nazi death camps, where millions of Jews were killed, as well as members of other minorities, including Roma, political prisoners and the disabled.

Significance in the Netherlands
For the Netherlands, this day has a special significance because many Dutch Jews were deported to Auschwitz during World War II. Of the more than 140,000 Jews who lived in the Netherlands before the war, about 100,000 perished in the Holocaust. Auschwitz Liberation Day is therefore not only an international event, but also a day of national mourning and remembrance for the Dutch victims.

Traditions and Events
Various events are held in the Netherlands on January 27:

Remembrance ceremonies - held in cities across the country, including the capital Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, the memorial at the Jewish Historical Museum is of particular importance.

A minute of silence - a minute of silence is observed throughout the country on this day in memory of the victims.

Meetings with survivors - Holocaust survivors speak at ceremonies to talk about their experiences and share memories.

Laying flowers - people lay flowers and candles at Holocaust memorials across the country.

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Auschwitz Liberation Day in other years

2022 January 30, Sunday
2023 January 29, Sunday
2024 January 28, Sunday
2026 January 25, Sunday