Looking back. Looking ahead. 2020-2025

24   ALBUM 2025 | DACHAU MEMORIAL 2025 M a y Liberation anniversary in Dachau On 4 May, around 1,700 guests gathered to attend the central commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau. The event was hosted by the Comité International de Dachau (CID), the Bavarian Memorial Foundation and the Dachau Memorial. The guests were greeted by Dr Gabriele Hammermann (Director of the Dachau Memorial) and Karl Freller (Director of the Bavarian Memorial Foundation). Following a welcome address from Julia Klöckner (President of the German Bundes­ tag), an introductory speech was delivered by Dominique Boueilh (President of the CID). The ceremony focused on messages from Bud Gahs, a former soldier who participated in the liberation of Dachau, and from survivors Jean Lafaurie, Abba Naor and Leslie Rosenthal. Further speeches were held by Ulrike Scharf (Bavarian State Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs and Second Deputy Minister-President) and Ilse Aigner (President of the Bavarian State Parliament). The central commemorative ceremony was preceded by denominational acts of remembrance at religious memorial sites within the Dachau Memorial, as well as a ceremony held at the former crematorium, where speeches were delivered by Dachau survivor Mario Candotto and local Mayor Florian Hartmann. The event concluded with a wreath-laying at the International Memorial.