Looking back. Looking ahead. 2020-2025

DACHAU MEMORIAL | ALBUM 2020 107 A P R I L Act of remembrance for the liberation of Dachau 29 April marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau. A major commemorative event had originally been planned for 3 May – with more than 100 survivors, liberators and their relatives from around the world expected to attend – but it had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, a quiet act of remembrance took place on 29 April – with only a handful of participants. Given the exceptional circumstances, the ceremony sent a strong message: Remem- bering the victims of National Socialism remains a duty and responsibility even in times of crisis. The commemorative event featured brief addresses from Dr Markus Söder (Bavarian Minister-President), Ilse Aigner (President of the Bavarian State Parliament), Karl Freller (Director of the Bavarian Memorial Foundation) and Dr Gabriele Hammermann (Director of the Dachau Memo- rial). Their speeches were followed by a wreath-laying at the International Memorial. As an alternative to the cancelled lib- eration ceremony, the Dachau Memorial offered a wide range of digital materials, including written greetings from around 30 survivors and liberators as well as video messages from prominent figures such as Dr Wolfgang Schäuble (President of the German Bundestag), Dr Markus Söder and Jean-Michel Thomas (President of the CID). This virtual initiative – available in German and English – made it possible for people around the world to participate in the commemoration despite the pandemic.