75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz: January 27, 2020


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JessRulz

JessRulz

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The 75th Anniversary of the
Liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp
takes place on
January 27, 2020
(International Holocaust Remembrance Day)

The main commemoration of the 75th anniversary will take place in front of the Gate of Death of KL Auschwitz II-Birkenau.


Photo my own

Official Website for the Anniversary

Additional commemorations will take place in the week prior to the anniversary in Israel,
including the Fifth World Holocaust Forum which will take place at Yad Vashem on January 23.

***​
 
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Confirmed royal attendance:

-- TM King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of The Belgians
with Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès
-- HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel
-- TM King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands
with Prime Minister Mark Rutte
-- HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
with Prime Minister Erna Solberg
-- TM King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
-- HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Speaker of the Parliament Andreas Norlén
-- HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
 
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The Prince of Wales is going to Israel for the events there.

This is a very high profile solo event for Camilla as well.
 
I've been following the announcements of participating royals in the commemorative ceremony on Twitter and I fully expect the King & Queen of the Belgians & Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark to participate in the ceremony in addition to those whose attendance has already been announced. They did so at the 70th anniversary commemorative ceremony in 2015. Both Belgium and Denmark has very poignant memories of the Holocaust and King Philippe's great-grandmother Queen Elisabeth was honoured by Israel with the title of "Righteous among the nations" for her attempts to save the Jew of Belgium from deportation to the extermination camps.
 
I wonder if we will see Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene?
 
The moderators could join both events in the same thread, because on January 22 and 23 many representatives of Royal Houses will be in Jerusalem for the forum.

Fifth World Holocaust Forum - Yad Vashem, Jerusalem. January 22 and 23

Over Forty Leaders to Convene at Yad Vashem for the Fifth World Holocaust Forum under the banner "Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism"

Grand Duke of Luxembourg HRH Henri
King of the Netherlands His Royal Majesty Willem-Alexander
The Crown Prince of Norway HRH Crown Prince Haakon
The Prince of Wales HRH Prince Charles, United Kingdom (who will give a speech at the forum)

https://www.yadvashem.org/press-release/07-january-2020-09-38.html

Rivlin to host 40 world leaders to mark 75 years since Auschwitz liberation

Some 40 heads of state are slated to take part in a gathering at President Reuven Rivlin’s official residence in Jerusalem next week, his office said Tuesday.

The leaders will be in Israel for the 5th World Holocaust Forum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum in Jerusalem, which begins on Thursday, January 23. At least 47 world leaders, including 26 presidents, four kings (from Spain, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg) and four prime ministers will be in town for the event, officials have said.

A day before, on Wednesday, leaders will gather at Rivlin’s residence for an official dinner and discussion. Spain’s King Felipe VI will deliver an address on behalf of the world leaders.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/rivli...-to-mark-75-years-since-auschwitz-liberation/
 
No one from the Royal Family of Denmark will be at this event?
 
JessRulz said:
Confirmed royal attendance:

-- HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel
-- TM King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands
with Prime Minister Mark Rutte
-- HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
with Prime Minister Erna Solberg
-- TM King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
-- HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Speaker of the Parliament Andreas Norlén
-- HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
Click to expand...


I am surprised to see HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attending this important celebration alone. Why isn't she accompanied by HRH The Prince of Wales ? And by a member of the British government such as the Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ?


Also, could anyone confirm if the Hon Donald John Trump, President of the United States, and His Excellency The President of the French Republic will also attend ? And who will represent the Federal Republic of Germany ?


Thank you.
 
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Mbruno said:
I am surprised to see HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attending this important celebration alone. Why isn't she accompanied by HRH The Prince of Wales ? And by a member of the British government such as the Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ?


Also, could anyone confirm if the Hon Donald John Trump, President of the United States, and His Excellency The President of the French Republic will also attend ? And who will represent the Federal Republic of Germany ?


Thank you.
Click to expand...

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier represents Germany.
Confirmed state delegations
State delegations _ Auschwitz-Birkenau
 
LadyFinn said:
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier represents Germany.
Confirmed state delegations
State delegations _ Auschwitz-Birkenau
Click to expand...


I see that the Secretary of the Treasury, Stephen Mnuchin, will represent the United States. I am disappointed that neither President Trump nor Boris Johnson or Emmanuel Macron will attend.



And my congratulations to the protocol team on using the correct citation, e.g.



"His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde"


"HM (King) Philip VI of Spain, HM Queen Letizia"


instead of "Queen Mathilde of the Belgians" or "Queen Letizia of Spain". Very few people/organizations get that right and, here on TRF, some of us always insist on this point !
 
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Mbruno said:
I am surprised to see HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attending this important celebration alone. Why isn't she accompanied by HRH The Prince of Wales ? And by a member of the British government such as the Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

The Prince of Wales is going to the commemorations in Israel and also visiting the Occupied Territories. He can't be in two places at once. With the monarch not undertaking overseas visits and her husband retired, it is now down to the Prince of Wales and his wife to do both places and so they are both going solo.

This is the most important event Camilla will have attended solo as well.

The British are often late in announcing politicians who will attend, especially when they have major political decisions to be finalised at home - such as Brexit.
 
Iluvbertie said:
The Prince of Wales is going to the commemorations in Israel and also visiting the Occupied Territories. He can't be in two places at once. With the monarch not undertaking overseas visits and her husband retired, it is now down to the Prince of Wales and his wife to do both places and so they are both going solo.
Click to expand...


He’s in Israel and the Occupied Territories on 23rd and 24th. No mention of him staying until the 27th. 3 days to return to Poland.

Not disagreeing that this is an important engagement for Camilla, but Charles can make it back.
 
Any Danish royal representation?
 
Israeli President Rivlin hosts dinner for some 40 world leaders in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp

During the dinner President Rivlin, the official host of the events, will speak. King Felipe VI of Spain will speak on behalf of the global leaders, and Professor Yehuda Bauer, Israel Prize laureate and Holocaust researcher, will deliver remarks.

https://ejpress.org/israeli-preside...of-the-auschwitz-birkenau-extermination-camp/
 
 
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Mbruno said:
I am surprised to see HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attending this important celebration alone. Why isn't she accompanied by HRH The Prince of Wales ? And by a member of the British government such as the Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ?


Also, could anyone confirm if the Hon Donald John Trump, President of the United States, and His Excellency The President of the French Republic will also attend ? And who will represent the Federal Republic of Germany ?


Thank you.
Click to expand...

Prince Charles will be attending the commemorative event which takes place in Jerusalem at the same time. He can't be in two places at once! President Macron of France will also be attending the event in Jerusalem, as will Vladimir Putin and the President of Germany. Donald Trump isn't going, but Mike Pence is going on his behalf.

It looks as if all those attending are heads of state - or their representatives, as in the case of Prince Charles and Prince Haakon - and that no country is sending both a royal/president *and* a prime minister. Apart from the security issues, there probably wouldn't be room for them all: it's an indoor, seated event, and there has to be space for survivors and their relatives as well.
 
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It is interesting that the King of Spain will be speaking, considering that AFAIK no Spanish people were murdered in Auschwitz. Perhaps a compromise candidate as the obvious choice -president Duda of Poland- was accused of anti-semitism in the autumn?

Allison H said:
It looks as if all those attending are heads of state - or their representatives, as in the case of Prince Charles and Prince Haakon - and that no country is sending both a royal/president *and* a prime minister.
Click to expand...

It seems that all Benelux countries will be represented by their monarchs and their prime ministers.
 
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Israel's President Rivlin hosts world leaders in Jerusalem


Marengo said:
It is interesting that the King of Spain will be speaking, considering that AFAIK no Spanish people were murdered in Auschwitz. Perhaps a compromise candidate as the obvious choice -president Duda of Poland- was accused of anti-semitism in the autumn?

It seems that all Benelux countries will be represented by their monarchs and their prime ministers.
Click to expand...

The title of King of Jerusalem has historically been linked to the Spanish Crown, leaders of Israel and Palestine have made many references to the title when they are in the presence of the King of Spain ... so Felipe's election is not so strange.

Spain has recognized that approximately 4000 Spaniards died in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. There are 7 Spaniards recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations", one of them Ángel Sanz Briz (whose nephew, also ambassador, works at the House of the King), Spain's ambassador to Hungary, saved the lives of 5.000 Jews by passing many of them as Sephardim.


King Felipe meets the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, Isaac Querub

https://twitter.com/x/status/1220057434544312320

Since 2015 there is a law that allows all descendants of Spanish Jews for centuries to obtain Spanish nationality.

Spain’s king: ‘We’re here to fight hatred and lack of human empathy’

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveb...re-to-fight-hatred-and-lack-of-human-empathy/
 
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lula said:
Israeli President Rivlin hosts dinner for some 40 world leaders in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp

During the dinner President Rivlin, the official host of the events, will speak. King Felipe VI of Spain will speak on behalf of the global leaders, and Professor Yehuda Bauer, Israel Prize laureate and Holocaust researcher, will deliver remarks.

https://ejpress.org/israeli-preside...of-the-auschwitz-birkenau-extermination-camp/
Click to expand...


Vice President Mike Pence represents the United States. Once again, Mr Trump didn't show up.


EDIT: I wonder why King Felipe VI was chosen to speak on behalf of the world leaders when Spain was a neutral country during World War II (and actually somewhat sympathetic to the Nazis under Franco) and the Jewish community in Spain itself was severely depleted by the expulsion of the Jews from Spain under the "Catholic Kings" (Ferdinand and Isabella) and the forced conversions during the Spanish Inquisition.


Of course, it is not his fault, but D. Felipe is a descendant in maternal line of Ferdinand and Isabella, isn't he ? In fact, that is how his Bourbon ancestors became Kings of Spain.
 
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Mbruno said:
Vice President Mike Pence represents the United States. Once again, Mr Trump didn't show up.


EDIT: I wonder why King Felipe VI was chosen to speak on behalf of the world leaders when Spain was a neutral country during World War II (and actually somewhat sympathetic to the Nazis under Franco) and the Jewish community in Spain itself was severely depleted by the expulsion of the Jews from Spain under the "Catholic Kings" (Ferdinand and Isabella) in 1492 and the forced conversions during the Spanish Inquisition.
Click to expand...
To my knowledge many of the Spanish citizens that perished in the Holocaust were political refugees that came to France at the end of the Spanish Civil War. As socialists and communists they were seen as undesirable by the Nazis and many of them ended up in the concentration camps once France was invaded.
 
lula said:
Spain has recognized that approximately 4000 Spaniards died in Auschwitz and other concentration camps. There are 7 Spaniards recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations", one of them Ángel Sanz Briz (whose nephew, also ambassador, works at the House of the King), Spain's ambassador to Hungary, saved the lives of 5.000 Jews by passing many of them as Sephardim.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, lula. The official website of Auschwitz does not list any Spanish people there, though I did see 200 'Other' nationalities mentioned. I thought most Spanish victims were murdered in Mauthausen. As JR says many of them were murdered for their political convictions. Although I believe Franco did make lists of Spanish Jews, which he intended to hand over to the Germans if he allied with them, which he fortunately did not do as the Germans were losing.

The King is an unusual choice but much preferable over many obvious candidates, which is perhaps why this choice was made. It would be highly inappropriate to have presidents with fascist sympathies / anti-semetic tendencies behind the microphone for such a commemoration.

Thanks for reminding us of Mr. Ángel Sanz Briz. From Wikipedia:

Between June and December 1944, he and his assistants issued fake Spanish papers to 5,200 Jews, saving them from deportation to concentration camps. he initially received authorization to provide papers to 200 Jews, and continued to enlarge this amount until he reached 5,200. In some cases, he acquired houses in Budapest at his own cost in order to provide shelter for the refugees, which made the difference between life and death for those Jews.
He convinced the Hungarian authorities that Spain, under the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera had given Spanish citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. Primo de Rivera had issued such a decree on December 20, 1924 but it had been canceled in 1930, a fact the Hungarian authorities were not aware of. Sanz Briz dutifully informed the Spanish Foreign Ministry of his actions, which were neither forbidden nor encouraged by Madrid.
Click to expand...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Sanz_Briz

Righteous among Nations indeed!
 
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Mbruno said:
Of course, it is not his fault, but D. Felipe is a descendant in maternal line of Ferdinand and Isabella, isn't he ? In fact, that is how his Bourbon ancestors became Kings of Spain.
Click to expand...


Why do you point at the maternal line? Spain has always had the possibility to have female monarchs. And the Habsburg before the Bourbon inherited through queen Juana, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, who had married Philipp of Habsburg, their son Charles V. was both emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and of the kingdom of Spain.


The first Anne d'Autriche married Louis XIII. of FRance (the second Bourbon king) and her son Louis XIV. married Maria Teresa d'Autriche, so their descendants had a strong claim when the Spanish Habsburgs had no heirs and the Austrian Habsburg next in line became emperor Karl VI. and decided to leave the Spanish Crown to the Bourbons on getting lands in Italy in exchange. The name d'Autriche for Spanish infantas was to signal that they were of the Habsburg family, they never lived in Austria nor had the Spanish Habsburgs from Charles V. onwards any rights to Austrian lands.
 
Marengo said:
T

The King is an unusual choice but much preferable over many obvious candidates, which is perhaps why this choice was made. It would be highly inappropriate to have presidents with fascist sympathies / anti-semetic tendencies behind the microphone for such a commemoration.
Click to expand...


The king of Spain might be an unusual choice but when you think that the homecountries of the most victims are now friends with the Federal Republic of Germany, it would be quite difficult to ask a person from these countries to speak in neutrality. Either the victims/their descendants or today's Germans with our lived culture of Remembering and Europeism could be hurt. So asking a king with a bloodline leading back to the removal of jews from Spain and the king defending democracy in parliament against a military putsch, king of a country that offers jews a safe home today and that was partly neutral, partly supporting fleeing jews, but yes, partly supporting the u-boot fleet of the Nazis in their harbours (but then, that's what US-American tankers did on the Atlantic as well) - IMHO he is a good choice as the son of a Spanish king and a Greek princess.
 
The Arrival of King Felipe VI of Spain in Tel Aviv

Reception by the President of Isreal

 
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lula said:
The title of King of Jerusalem has historically been linked to the Spanish Crown, leaders of Israel and Palestine have made many references to the title when they are in the presence of the King of Spain ... so Felipe's election is not so strange.
Click to expand...


True, but that title has nothing to do with the protection of the Jewish people. The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a medieval Christian kingdom established in Palestine by the Crusaders when they (temporarily) retook the Holy Land from the Muslim Arabs. Several military-religious orders like the modern Catholic Sovereign Order of Malta (whose Protestant counterparts are the various Orders of St John e.g. in the UK, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands) trace their origin to that kingdom.


The historic record of Spain with respect to the Jewish people actually is not exactly the best considering that, as I argued before, the Spanish crown was responsible for one of the first mass persecution of Jews in the history of Western Europe in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. But, again, that is not the fault of modern Spaniards like King Felipe VI.
 
King Willem-Alexander starts the day early today with a visit to Yad Vashem, Jerusalem where the World Holocaust Forum takes place this afternoon. The King is given a tour of the exhibition with Dutch aspects


https://twitter.com/x/status/1220226283768090624
https://twitter.com/x/status/1220226283768090624
https://twitter.com/x/status/1220226283768090624


King Felipe holds a meeting with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivli, on the occasion of his attendance at the “International Leader’s Forum” in Jerusalem.


https://twitter.com/x/status/1220256570367520769


And Prince Charles meet with the President of Israel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO9CSuSWoAAcPps?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO9Ck6yXsAEPCvl?format=jpg&name=large


https://www.paimages.co.uk/headline/1423850
 
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