Acknowledgements
The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz has passed.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to:
all Survivors, who found the strength to be with us once again in the place that so profoundly marked their childhood, youth, and lives;
all those present, both in the tent hall and in the open sector, including official delegations—heads of states and governments, and representatives of numerous institutions, organizations, associations, and communities;
all donors who supported the organization of this event in various ways, especially the Jusidman family and other individuals and companies who contributed to our fundraising for the Survivors’ art exhibition planned for the camp kitchen building;
the services responsible for the security of these commemorations: the State Protection Service, the Police, the Internal Security Agency, the Polish Armed Forces, medical services, and the fire brigade;
the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for providing substantial financial support for these commemorations;
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and especially the Diplomatic Protocol, for their tremendous commitment;
Polish Television (TVP), for producing the television broadcast and making it available to all media worldwide, as well as for producing the international studio accompanying the main commemoration;
journalists, who once again proved to be the Memorial’s most faithful allies—ready for the difficult and demanding work required to ensure that the message of this Memorial is heard around the world;
Rekord company, which undertook the construction of the largest tent hall in European history and all accompanying infrastructure;
Orange, for significantly strengthening the cellular network, enabling journalists and other services to operate effectively;
the employees of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, who devoted many months of work to ensure that this event would resonate powerfully around the globe, as well as the large group of Memorial guides who supported us;
the volunteers, without whom we could not have managed such a large-scale event;
the diplomats, for their work in ensuring the smooth course of the official delegations’ visits;
the staff at airports, nearby hotels, and other companies utilized by our many guests from around the world;
the interpreters, who served both the commemorations and the international television studio;
the musicians, who provided a dignified and symbolic setting to the main observances;
the local governments of the Oświęcim region and its residents, for their cooperation and deep understanding of all the inconveniences during the anniversary days;
everyone who contributed to this global gesture of remembrance, awareness, and responsibility.
Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński
Director of the Museum