It became a win-win operation and the relations became so tight, friendly, effective and efficient and is an example of the best co-operation two institutions can have! We are confident and sure this co-operation will stay at its highest level!
Symbolically, this 30 years of co-operation has ended with you being nominated to the Council of the Museum (we are meeting just before this assembly). Is that important to you?
Yes, very much so. First of all, it’s a recognition of the MOTL. It’s not just me as a person. But this is also recognition that the March is accepted, that it is a well built-in project, and that both organisations have a certain attitude towards teaching about the Holocaust, and memory, and we will do it together. We’ll do it like partners. For us, it’s very important. It was accepted very, very positively.
I think we all believe that, when you bring those thousands of people here, the visit at the Memorial is not only a historical experience, it’s a personal experience. So I have a question for you. From your personal perspective, is this place still a moving place for you? How do you feel coming back?
Every time I come here for meetings, I know the place, I know the people, and I am friendly with them. I feel Piotr and Andrzej are like my brothers! But when I come for the MOTL I see the youngsters, I see those that are coming for the first time. I see the leaders that have been coming for many, many years and I always have tears in my eyes. I am running around, I am busy, I am active, it’s crazy - but it still does something to me. Every year it feels the same as when I participated for the first time.
Do you remember your first time here in the Auschwitz Memorial?
Yes. 27 years ago, the March was small, and I was not the director at that time, I was just getting involved. I came after my service in missions around the world – it was the first meeting with Auschwitz for me. I came here and it was amazing for me. I had met people connected with the place, I knew about it, but I had never been here before and it was a shock for me. I remember I had to wipe away my tears. I still do so when I am talking about it, when we have meetings and lectures. In a few days I am going to speak in Budapest. There will be a march – huge and impressive, but nothing can be compared to the March in Auschwitz. It is not organized like here, where people arrive, we march and we have a ceremony. It is a very important and moving event - but March of The Living is Auschwitz - as I said before, is the real symbol!
I am the main speaker there and will speak about the March here – in Auschwitz. I will say that a month ago we marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau: that is the unique experience, promise and commitment that Holocaust will never happen again. We must continue to teach the history of the Holocaust. We need to do all we can to avoid atrocities and hatred - to change the world. We have to be practical and talk about it. We are talking about a fight - a combat, but not a physical one - fighting verbally, historically, and demonstrating that we won’t let it happen again. Crime and disasters starts from minor incidents and issues. The Holocaust started from small beginnings: everything started from words, ideas, publications, and books and turned to brutal atrocities. It was Germany - civilized Germany - that turned to a monster and created the Nazi regime that invented the Final Solution and the murder machine. We know everything about this and we have to remind all people about it. Time is running out and In few years we will not have many survivors left with us. We have to remember, we have to share, and we have to pass on the torches of memory and remembrance.
Is there a place at the Memorial that brings you to a halt, which is difficult to pass without noticing?
That’s a hard question. There are so many places here: when I am walking into the barracks as well as to the Jewish pavilion in Block 27.