An international consensus built around the importance and history of Auschwitz
The summary of the 2012-2018 term of office of the International Auschwitz Council and the report on the work of the Auschwitz Museum in recent years, were some of the topics of the 34th session of the International Auschwitz Council, which was held in Auschwitz, 7 and 8 May 2018, chaired by Prof. Barbara Engelking. The meeting was attended by the deputy minister of culture and national heritage, Jarosław Sellin, who read a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Piotr Gliński addressed to members of the IAC.
'In February, the Ministry of Culture issued a statement in which it expressed its unequivocal opposition to the dissemination of slander, lies and hateful content addressed to persons committed to the care of Memorial Sites on the grounds of former concentration and extermination camps. I wish to strongly re-affirm that it is a position I still uphold,' Prof. Gliński stressed in his letter.
During the session, Minister Jarosław Sellin said that the concentration camps created by the Germans are located on the territories of five contemporary states, but the former extermination centers are located on the territory of the Polish state. "These are places where every sensitive, young person may contemplate about what is good and what is evil - including personal evil - what is love and hate; if God exists or not. In these places, we ask these questions with particular intensity," said Minister Sellin.
'I ask all members of the International Auschwitz Council to accept the assurance of my highest consideration and recognition for their commitment in the accomplishment of the Council’s tasks throughout its entire term of office, especially in the area of protection and development of the sites of the former Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz and other Holocaust memorials. For your concern and sensitivity to this painful legacy, for your uncompromising attitude, and for not allowing the problems of the Holocaust and martyrdom of the nations to become commonplace; for these wounds must be torn so that, as Stefan Żeromski said, ‘this memory is not forgotten', thank you very much,' wrote Prof. Piotr Gliński, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
'I also wish to thank all the directors, employees of martyrdom museums, experts and social activists who work tirelessly with dedication to documenting and educating about the truth of the Holocaust.
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