Anniversary events in Dachau and Ravensbrück cancelled
Serious safety concerns in view of the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) were the reason for this decision, which is in line with the recommendations and guidelines of the relevant authorities. Nevertheless, the decision to cancel the event was extremely difficult for all parties involved due to its significance and the importance the event holds for so many people.
The cancellation incorporates not only the commemoration ceremony on May 3rd, a major event which was scheduled to host over 2,000 guests from all over the world, but also the several-day supporting programme for survivors and liberators of the Dachau concentration camp. This accompanying programme of events included various opportunities for encounters, especially between young people, survivors and liberators. All participants were particularly looking forward to this, but it is precisely the elderly contemporary witnesses who are most at risk in terms of health.
The director of the Dachau Memorial Site, Dr. Gabriele Hammermann, and her team, are currently exploring alternatives for recognising this important anniversary in a way which would not involve any commemorative event on the grounds of the former concentration camp.
Similar decision was made by the management of Ravensbrück Memorial.
"In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of the Oberhavel district and the President of the Ravensbrück Committee, it is with great regret that we are forced to cancel most of the events planned for mid-April to mark the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation. We must take into account the decision of the chief physician, because we must not endanger the health of our guests.
We hope that the planned activities will be carried out next year as part of the commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the camp's liberation and that we will again invite living former prisoners and their families.
The Memorial nevertheless intends to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation by organising the main ceremony and the opening of the "Faces of Europe" exhibition on April 19th in a very small group. We are currently considering whether it will be possible to create an opportunity for those interested to participate in the planned ceremony via the Internet. - we read in the statement.
In agreement with the Comité International de Dachau (CID), the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site and the Foundation of Bavarian Memorial Sites have decided to cancel the event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp planned for Sunday, May 3, 2020.
Paweł Sawicki
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