Celebrating 80 Years Since the Liberation of Concentration Camps Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Concentration Camp Buchenwald - Celebrating the 80-year anniversary of the Buchenwald concentration camp's liberation.
On a somber note, we're taking a trip back in time, reminiscing about two notorious concentration camps: Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora. The latter, a gruesome establishment nestled in the heart of North Thuringia, was responsible for the deaths of around 20,000 individuals. This dreadful chapter of history is being commemorated once again, as we mark eight decades since the US Army liberated these hellish institutions. On Monday, state officials, along with a handful of camp survivors from various corners of the globe, will gather at these hallowed grounds.
A Brief History of Mittelbau-Dora:
Initially an offshoot of Buchenwald, Mittelbau-Dora gained independence in the sweltering summer of 1944. The camp was a vile production hub for infamous V-2 rockets, with thousands of prisoners toiling in subterranean tunnels under inhumane conditions. Crisscrossed by approximately 40 subcamps sprawled across central Germany, Mittelbau-Dora was a symbol of the extreme hardships endured by prisoners, many of whom perished due to starvation, disease, and the relentless cruelty of their guards.
Relief From the Horror: The Liberation
Liberated by the valiant US Army’s 3rd Armored Division on April 11, 1945, Mittelbau-Dora finally witnessed a glimmer of hope. Upon their arrival, American soldiers found a gruesome sight—thousands of deceased and dying prisoners, victims of the repugnant conditions they had been subjected to. The liberation offered a glimmer of relief for the survivors, who were at last provided with food, medical care, and safety.
Memorial Events Ahead
As part of the 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora concentration camps, a solemn ceremony was held back in March 2025. The event included a stirring musical performance featuring compositions crafted by prisoners in the camps, a moving poem by Johanna Geißler, and heartfelt speeches from dignitaries such as former German President Christian Wulff.
Attendees of this week's commemoration include:- Prof. Dr. Jens-Christian Wagner, Director of the Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation.- Prime Minister Mario Voigt of the Free State of Thuringia.- Former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christian Wulff.- A talented ensemble from the Staatskapelle Weimar orchestra performed during the ceremony.
The purpose of these events is to honor the memories of those who suffered and lost their lives in the camps, and to contemplate the historic lessons derived from this dark period.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as a respectful nod to the labourers who were forced to work under such inhumane conditions in concentration camps like Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora.
Notably, Prof. Dr. Jens-Christian Wagner, Director of the Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation, will attend the commemoration, underscoring the importance of recalling and honoring the memories of those who suffered in the camps.
In light of the 80th anniversary of the liberation, it is particularly poignant to remember that the CDU, the Christian Democratic Union, was a significant political force in the post-war reconstruction of Thuringia, playing a crucial role in the rehabilitation and memorialization of concentration camps such as Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora.
