Looking back. Looking ahead. 2020-2025

142   SPEECHES | SURVIVORS AND LIBERATORS Survivors and Liberators ©Flossenbürg Memorial / T. Dashuber I extend my warmest greetings to the survivors of this concen- tration camp who have been able to join us here in this act   of remembrance marking the 78th anniversary of its liberation. This year, only a very small group of survivors can be with us, as only a few are still able to undertake such a demanding journey. I also welcome the representatives of the authorities and all organisations who are participating in this day of remem- brance and who continue to support our memorial. Today, on 23 April, we gather again in a place marked by so much tragedy. Today, we honour all those who fell victim to the inhuman ideology of National Socialism. I am thinking especially of Jack Terry and Max Glauben, whom I had the privilege of meeting here personally for many years.We also mourn all those   who suffered under that ideology and who have passed away during the past year. We survivors deeply appreciate the commitment of all the staff working at this memorial, who help ensure that the tragic fate of the prisoners is never forgotten. On behalf of all the survivors I represent here today, I would like to express our gratitude for your tireless efforts in preparing and hosting our annual gathering in remembrance of these events, and for your daily commitment to countering prejudice and hostility towards others. Through your educational activities and great dedication, you foster deep, mutual understanding among people of different cultures and faiths. It is with great concern that we witness the resurgence of right-wing extremist groups in this country and in many oth- ers – using slogans and symbols reminiscent of Nazi imagery. In the name of all those who were murdered, we must warn of the inevitable outcome of a degenerate and inhumane nationalism that is fuelled by hostility toward people of other cultural and religious communities. Today, I appeal to everyone LeonWeintraub 78th anniversary  of the liberation of Flossenbürg  23 April 2023 – to all people of goodwill: Do not allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade! This tragedy was unleashed by an ideology rooted in racism.   It began with incitement against the “others” and ultimately led to the murder of millions of innocent people and the   devastation of Europe. We are deeply disturbed by the fact that Ukraine, our neigh- bouring country, has been invaded by Russia.We hope that Ukraine – with the support of all democratic states – will   succeed in bringing this ruthless war of aggression to an end. We know from personal experience the consequences of   extreme nationalism and wars waged under false pretences, and so we must condemn the aggressor. In closing, I would like to leave you with a few thoughts:   As an obstetrician and gynaecologist, I can assure you that every newborn enters this world free of judgements and   prejudices; a child is born a human being. It is our duty to teach our children to remain human throughout their lives. LeonWeintraub was born in Ł ód ź , Poland, in 1926. After being deported to the local ghetto with his Jewish family in 1940, he was transferred to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in August 1944. He also survived the Groß-Rosen, Flossenbürg and Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camps. Today, he lives in Sweden.