11 April 2020 – 75th Anniversary
of the liberation of the
Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora concentration camps
Despite the closure of the Memorial Site as well as the cancellation of all memorial events, individual commemoration on the anniversary of the liberation is possible at the camp’s former fence.
Even if the Memorial and the Concentration Camp site are closed and no more than two persons are allowed to meet in public in compliance with measures to control the spread of Covid-19, visitors can still commemorate in silence and lay flowers all while observing the physical-distancing rules.
At the former camp fence, to the left of the camp entrance in direct proximity to the prison camp’s former Appellplatz, numerous visitors have already laid flowers and written down their thoughts about the anniversary of the liberation.
The Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation is grateful to the Weimar Citizens' Alliance against Right-wing Extremism for initiating this opportunity and for launching the rallying-call.
Individual observations posted at the camp fence (to the left of the former detention cell building)
"... a photo at the free disposal for teenagers / young adults of the city of Weimar, which, despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, is / was a matter of commemorating victims of the Nazi dictatorship. Mario Lange for AG Gedenken"
"... what a wonderful idea to allow the commemoration of Buchenwald's liberation take place on an individual level - but yet in the Community ... T. Lahmer and Family"
"... that is painfully lacking: the encounters with those men and women, the survivors, their children and grandchildren who seventy-five years later are still telling their stories and talk about what it has demanded of them to live with their memories until this very day... Lisa Rethmeier"
"DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) District Association Weimar / Weimar District"
"In memory of the victims and the suffering that took place in this camp, as well as the US Army units that enabled the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp."
"NEVER AGAIN! - Association of Friends of Nature and Homeland Niederzimmern eV"
"... many thanks for the opportunity to commemorate despite the prevailing circumstances due to the coronavirus ... Kay Linke"
"... photos, which I took today to commemorate the Buchenwald Memorial Sites. The violets growing through the hard concrete touched me in this otherwise oppressive environment ... Helene Kliewe"
"... thank you for the action. Best regards from Corinna and Hannah Deibe"
"...We think it's a wonderful idea, an important campaign, and a great opportunity to show that we are participating ... Laura Boeger, Anna Takenaka"
"... It is so important that we never forget and do our utmost to ensure that everyone assumes their responsibility for a democratic, tolerant, and peaceful coexistence. Dirk Billig, Leonie and Christina Haensel"
"... to commemorate the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp, we have been initiating small gestures of hope and resistance against the recurrent contempt for human beings and the emboldened fascist forces and populist ideas. ... Roxane Elle und Alexander Böber"
"... Thank you for this special opportunity to remember! Alfred Bax und Hildegard Gürtler, Weimar"
"... Even seventy-five years after the liberation, we remain responsible for not forgetting and ensuring that human dignity and democracy are not negotiable. ... We thank Weimar Citizens’ Alliance for this great idea! Alliance for Democracy and Openness to the World Veßra Monastery"