Holocaust Remembrance Day Marked in Kathmandu with Memorial Program and Exhibition

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Kathmandu recently hosted an international memorial program and exhibition titled “Memorial Program and Exhibition: Auschwitz – A Place on Earth” to honor the victims of the Holocaust. Organized jointly by the Israeli and German embassies, the event commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed globally every year on January 27, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7.

The program paid tribute to the over 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including 1.5 million children, who were systematically murdered during World War II. Six candles were lit during the ceremony to symbolize the lives lost. The event also served as a reminder to promote love, harmony, and vigilance against hatred and discrimination to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.

Dr. Surya Prasad Sharma Dhungel, a member of Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission, emphasized that the Holocaust represents a tragic chapter not only for the Jewish community but for all of humanity. Similarly, Dr. Dhungel highlighted the lasting trauma experienced by the Jewish community and the critical need for global awareness to prevent such barbarity.

Speaking at the event on behalf of German Ambassador to Nepal Dr. Thomas Heinrich Prinz, Deputy Chief of Mission Benjamin Seidel said that the Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers but with the seeds of hatred, division, and inhumane rhetoric. They urged democratic citizens to stand against all forms of discrimination.

United States Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson called for collective responsibility in opposing racism, intolerance, and anti-human activities. He extended his best wishes on behalf of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, affirming America’s commitment to honoring and remembering the Holocaust.

Ambassador of Israel Shmulik Arie Bass reflected on the Holocaust’s profound impact, describing it as a permanent warning to humanity. He recalled the first International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2005, which marked the 60th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. That year, the UN featured an exhibition from the Yad Vashem Museum, and the anthem of hope, “Hatikvah”, was performed.

The event included a poignant photo exhibition titled “Auschwitz: A Place on Earth”, aimed at raising awareness about the horrors of man-made cruelty and underscoring the importance of ensuring such tragedies are never repeated. The exhibition will remain open to the public at Himali Boarding School from January 28 to February 2, and at Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School from February 3 to 9.

Students from Himali Boarding School and Kathmandu Pragya Kunj School performed a group musical piece, adding a heartfelt tribute to the program. Globally, Holocaust Remembrance Day is marked with various events at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and other UN offices worldwide.

This year’s program in Kathmandu concluded with a unified message: the global community must remain steadfast in its commitment to “Never Forget, Never Again,” ensuring the horrors of the Holocaust serve as a lasting lesson for future generations.