Remembering the Holocaust
On January 27, the U.S. Mission participated in the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by the UN Offices at Geneva to mark the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the end of the Holocaust. During the event, Holocaust survivor Paul Sobol recounted his own story of survival, and the Choir of the Geneva Alliance Girsa School, accompanied by the Hotegezugt Orchestra, provided a musical interlude. As Ambassador Bremberg noted in his remarks, “Holocaust Remembrance Day keeps alive the stories and experiences of those who bore witness to one of the most horrific periods in history…. But Holocaust Remembrance Day is more than remembering the past. It’s about understanding why the Holocaust happened. It’s about making sure that Holocaust history is portrayed in an accurate way. It calls on all of us to be mindful of the future and to live up to the pledge of ‘never again’.” Other featured speakers included UNOG Director General Tatiana Valovaya, Israeli Ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter, Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov, and EU Ambassador Walter Stevens. Director of the UN Information Service Alessandra Vellucci served as master of ceremonies, and journalist Xavier Colin moderated the discussion with Mr. Sobol.
U.S. Mission Photo/Eric Bridiers