International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates all victims of one of the worst genocides in history. We also remember the righteous and others who helped save lives during this tragic period in history. It is with sadness that we remember the great number of innocent children who died in the tumultuous Second World War.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Slovenian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) have, for many years, supported, and actively contributed to, remembrance, research, and education on the Holocaust.

This year, due to the pandemic, Slovenia is hosting digital events as part of the already traditional “Shoah – Let Us Remember, 2021” programme, coordinated by the Maribor Synagogue, with numerous partners all over the country. Commemorative events, exhibition openings, and other activities will take place in digital form due to the COVID-19 measures. Most of the events are intended for the young generation, pupils, and students. It is important that the goal of “never again” is attained globally, through awareness-raising and education.

This year, the varied programme comprises 74 activities, including films and other contributions on Radio-Television Slovenia. 

On this important day of remembrance and awareness-raising, the head of the Slovenian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Dr Marko Rakovec, reminds us of our joint responsibility to resist all attempts to deny or distort the horrors of the Holocaust, one of the blackest chapters in human history. As explained by Raphael Lemkin, initiator of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, such atrocity is more dangerous than war, as it seeks to destroy a particular nation. It is therefore right that these tragic events serve as a reminder to the present and all future generations, making sure that such horror will never be repeated. “I am pleased to see so many organisations and individuals in Slovenia selflessly seeking to raise awareness among the population, especially the young generations, by offering a rich programme of events to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January and throughout the year as part of the school curriculum and numerous cultural events. I would therefore like to express my profound gratitude for their efforts aimed at creating a tolerant society based on respect for human rights. I would encourage them to continue their important contribution to Slovenian society.”