Activity “Building a Tolerant Future: Holocaust Remembrance 2025”

January 29, 2025

Excellencies Ambassadors,

Honored colleagues,

Sisters and brothers from the Jewish community in Albania,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, 80 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, we gather again here, at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which has made Holocaust Remembrance Day a sacred tradition, to commemorate one of the darkest chapters in human history.

This day is an opportunity to reflect on the irreparable tragedy it carries and to draw invaluable lessons from the painful past. It is a moment of calling to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to humanity and justice, to keep alive the memory of those who suffered, and to continue resolutely the fight for a world where hatred and discrimination have no place, in an effort to build together a better human future based on tolerance.

Dear friends,

Memory is the shield we have against the repetition of the horrors of the past. We are here today to preserve and honor the immense pain of those who suffered and lost their lives in that unspeakable tragedy, to remember the victims and to have respect for those who survived. We are here to educate the younger generations, to ensure that evil is never repeated, and to preserve the values ​​of dignity and peace that still sustain us as human beings.

The Holocaust remains a powerful testimony to the hatred, discrimination and dehumanization of man, where 6 million Jews were exterminated because of their origin. Each victim was an individual with dreams, hopes and rights that should have been inalienable.

In this context, the commemoration of the Holocaust is not simply a ceremonial act; it is a powerful call to action. It is an appeal that demands our unwavering commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism and all other forms of discrimination, which still continue to describe the reality of our world, even today.

But memory alone is not enough; we must commit ourselves to educating the younger generations, to preserving the truth and to nurturing in them the values ​​of dignity and tolerance. Education is the light that will guide us in the darkness of ignorance and will help us build a more just future. Therefore, it is our duty to give young people the opportunity not only to learn about the horrors of the past, but also to strengthen the values ​​that are the foundation of peace and justice.

In fact, two days ago, together with leaders from across Europe and the world, I had the opportunity to be in Auschwitz. I felt in my heart and soul the immense tragedy that took place there. This is an experience that calls to all of us, committing us to keep the memory alive and to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated.

And as we remember the Holocaust, it is equally imperative to honor those who stood in the fight against injustice. Those who tried to break the path of violence and persecution, those who offered refuge to the persecuted, who raised their voices for human rights and defended their faith. They are the lights that shone in the darkness of time, examples of unparalleled courage and unquenchable hope.

One of the brightest examples of this courage is the history of Albania. In the midst of a closed and occupied Europe, Albania became an oasis of hope, the only occupied European country where after World War II the Jewish population multiplied. Those who managed to find refuge in this land were saved from the clutches of death, because here they found protection and warmth from a people who held and respected the Besa – a sacred word, an unquestionable commitment, a promise that every Albanian keeps until the end of their lives.

And today, as we light the memorial candles, each of them is a symbol of a commitment: our commitment not to forget, not to be silent and not to allow evil to triumph. Memory is important, but it requires action. As a people, as a society, we have a great responsibility to continue the fight for a just world, where the dignity of every individual is sacred and where justice triumphs over hatred.

At this moment, as we stand here, in an increasingly divided world, one of the greatest challenges of our time is the fight against anti-Semitism. This phenomenon, which has deep roots and is as old as it is new, remains a serious threat to our democratic values, the security of societies and fundamental human rights.

In the digital world, anti-Semitism has found a new platform, where the spread of hatred and misinformation becomes easier. This is a battle that requires the commitment of the whole of society: governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, youth must cooperate to address the emerging threats and to promote understanding between different faiths and groups.

A few days ago, Albania hosted an event of great importance – the International Conference “Standing Against Hate and Embracing Rights”. This was a special moment to demonstrate our deep commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism and to the protection of human dignity. As Prime Minister Rama emphasized, “We must empower young people to speak out against those who spread hatred.” This is our unstoppable commitment: to build a world where hatred disappears and human dignity is an irrefutable and universal value.

Again, I emphasize that this is achievable through education and close international cooperation. Only by joining forces in this fight can we strongly oppose the threat of antisemitism. The Global Guidelines for Combating Antisemitism are a powerful call to action, and Albania has taken on the role of a committed partner in this great global cause. The challenges we face are extraordinary, but our efforts must be indomitable and determined, to ensure that our actions are strong and clear.

Dear friends,

Antisemitism is a grave threat to us all, a scourge that destroys the very core of our societies and subverts the most fundamental values ​​of humanity. There is no more time for silence; we must take concrete, unquestionable action to stop this virus of hatred and to defend human rights without compromise. Only by coming together, with determination and unity, can we build a more just, safer, and more tolerant world – a world where every individual has the value they deserve, and where hope is stronger than any form of hatred.

Our commitment to the future is the duty of every person who believes in the power of love and equality.

Let us build this future, let us build it now.

Thank you.