In an evocative memorial just outside St. Petersburg, a towering tribute honors the suffering of Soviet civilians, emphasizing a focus on the broader Soviet tragedy during World War II rather than the Holocaust specifically.
Russia Reassesses WWII Memory Amid Exclusion from Auschwitz Anniversary
Russia Reassesses WWII Memory Amid Exclusion from Auschwitz Anniversary
As the world prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation, Russia's narrative shifts towards the experiences of its own Soviet victims.
The article text:
On the outskirts of St. Petersburg, a striking memorial stands over 40 meters tall, capturing the haunting legacy of those lost during World War II. The centerpiece is a mother cradling her children, a poignant symbol of the human cost of war. Beneath this sculpture, bronze depictions tell true tales of suffering, while an eternal flame honors the memory of various Nazi camps.
Despite the solemnity, this memorial isn’t solely a Holocaust tribute; its title explicitly highlights, “the memorial to Soviet civilians who fell victim to the Nazi genocide.” A tour guide, recounting the harrowing history of Treblinka-2, notes that it was a death camp responsible for the murder of up to 900,000 individuals. However, it’s telling that the guide does not specify that the overwhelming majority of those victims were Jewish.
Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated this memorial on January 27, a date heavy with dual significance: it marks the day Soviet forces ended the long siege of Leningrad in 1944 and the liberation of Auschwitz one year later. This day has since been celebrated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, yet this year, Putin found himself uninvited to the proceedings in Poland.
In his speech during the memorial's unveiling, Putin refrained from referring to the Holocaust, instead framing it as an act of genocide against the Soviet populace. He argued that the Nazis aimed to seize the Soviet Union’s resources and territory while annihilating its citizenry. The focus on the pain of all Soviet citizens during the war has risen recently, a reminder of the sacrifices made by over 27 million Soviet individuals during what they term the Great Patriotic War.
While Holocaust remembrance is not absent in Russia—several events have honored it ahead of Auschwitz’s 80th anniversary—there is a noticeable pivot towards emphasizing Russian victimhood. Historian Konstantin Pakhaliuk suggests this narrative fosters a psychological positioning of Russia as a perpetual victim, especially heightened since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
In previous celebratory remarks, Putin has acknowledged the tragedy of the Holocaust as a deep wound for humanity. However, the tensions between Russia and Western nations have complicated these discussions, leading to its exclusion from the 80th-anniversary events in Poland.
The director of the Auschwitz Museum underscored this sentiment, stating the absence of Russian officials aligns with a broader celebration of freedom. Despite this exclusion, influential Jewish voices within Russia have criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of collective memory and the joint legacy in defeating fascism.
In contrast, Jewish communities in Russia are working tirelessly to ensure the stories of the Holocaust endure amid rising extremism and denials of its significance. Anna Bokshitskaya, Executive Director of the Russian Jewish Congress, highlights the urgency of educating current generations about the realities of the Holocaust to prevent history from repeating itself.
On the outskirts of St. Petersburg, a striking memorial stands over 40 meters tall, capturing the haunting legacy of those lost during World War II. The centerpiece is a mother cradling her children, a poignant symbol of the human cost of war. Beneath this sculpture, bronze depictions tell true tales of suffering, while an eternal flame honors the memory of various Nazi camps.
Despite the solemnity, this memorial isn’t solely a Holocaust tribute; its title explicitly highlights, “the memorial to Soviet civilians who fell victim to the Nazi genocide.” A tour guide, recounting the harrowing history of Treblinka-2, notes that it was a death camp responsible for the murder of up to 900,000 individuals. However, it’s telling that the guide does not specify that the overwhelming majority of those victims were Jewish.
Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated this memorial on January 27, a date heavy with dual significance: it marks the day Soviet forces ended the long siege of Leningrad in 1944 and the liberation of Auschwitz one year later. This day has since been celebrated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, yet this year, Putin found himself uninvited to the proceedings in Poland.
In his speech during the memorial's unveiling, Putin refrained from referring to the Holocaust, instead framing it as an act of genocide against the Soviet populace. He argued that the Nazis aimed to seize the Soviet Union’s resources and territory while annihilating its citizenry. The focus on the pain of all Soviet citizens during the war has risen recently, a reminder of the sacrifices made by over 27 million Soviet individuals during what they term the Great Patriotic War.
While Holocaust remembrance is not absent in Russia—several events have honored it ahead of Auschwitz’s 80th anniversary—there is a noticeable pivot towards emphasizing Russian victimhood. Historian Konstantin Pakhaliuk suggests this narrative fosters a psychological positioning of Russia as a perpetual victim, especially heightened since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
In previous celebratory remarks, Putin has acknowledged the tragedy of the Holocaust as a deep wound for humanity. However, the tensions between Russia and Western nations have complicated these discussions, leading to its exclusion from the 80th-anniversary events in Poland.
The director of the Auschwitz Museum underscored this sentiment, stating the absence of Russian officials aligns with a broader celebration of freedom. Despite this exclusion, influential Jewish voices within Russia have criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of collective memory and the joint legacy in defeating fascism.
In contrast, Jewish communities in Russia are working tirelessly to ensure the stories of the Holocaust endure amid rising extremism and denials of its significance. Anna Bokshitskaya, Executive Director of the Russian Jewish Congress, highlights the urgency of educating current generations about the realities of the Holocaust to prevent history from repeating itself.
