Auschwitz-Birkenau| A Heartfelt Reflection on the Importance of Remembrance

To mark the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti, the Roma Foundation for Europe and its Network members co-hosted a series of events, including a conference, an exhibition and a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau to commemorate the 4,300 Roma and Sinti who were murdered there 80 years ago on the night of 2 August 1944.

Part of our team members from REF Romania and Serbia joined the events. The profound emotions they felt were overwhelming, as they confronted the weight of history and the memories of those lost.

“Experiencing Auschwitz – Birkenau first-hand is beyond words. Witnessing the sites you’ve only read about, where countless lives were lost simply for being different, is truly heart-breaking. Auschwitz stands as a stark reminder of the immense human suffering that occurred. Reflecting on these past horrors is crucial to ensure such atrocities never happen again” – Ioan Valentin Negoi, who holds a PhD in History and is the host of the RomStoria YouTube channel, a #REF project dedicated to promoting the history of Roma in Romania. More here https://lnkd.in/dXYMkXA7

“Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau on August 2, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Roma Holocaust, was an emotionally overwhelming experience, and I am almost certain that this heaviness is felt by anyone who steps onto these grounds. Standing on the site where 4,300 Roma and Sinti were murdered by SS soldiers in 1944, one is overwhelmed by the weight of history and the immense suffering that occurred there.

The experience reinforced my commitment to educate others about the atrocities of the Holocaust and to do my best to ensure that such tragedies are never forgotten and never repeated” – Gabriel Zorila, the host of the podcast #InspiringStories, a #REF project that promotes young Roma in Romania who have achieved their dreams through #education. More here https://lnkd.in/dY-i2BRU

“The commemoration of the Roma Holocaust should stand as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed and the countless lives lost during one of history’s darkest chapters.

Being in Auschwitz-Birkenau offered me a sobering reality check—a deep sense of grief and sadness that quickly enveloped me. It’s surreal to stand in a place where such horrific acts of violence and murders were perpetrated. This day of remembrance is not only about honouring the victims but also about ensuring that the horrors of the past are never forgotten and that the lessons learned continue to resonate across generations” – Claudia Gheorghe, assistant manager #REFRomania.