The donation of 60 million euros to the Foundation Auschwitz-Birkenau is in addition to 60 million euros donated by Germany during the fund’s launch 10 years ago. This brings the total to 120 million euros.
According to Reuters, half of the donation comes from the German federal government and the other half from regional governments.
“I am very happy that we can agree that the Memorial of Auschwitz-Birkenau will receive extra money,” said Angela Merkel. “It’s a good message that I will take with me in Poland tomorrow. “
— Auschwitz memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) December 6, 2019
This is the first Angela Merkel’s visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 14 years at the helm of the team, in the context of an event for the 10th anniversary of the Foundation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
“Auschwitz is a museum, but it is also the largest cemetery in the world… (the memory) is the key to building the present and the future “, told Reuters the Dr Piotr M A Cywisski, director of the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau.
“A lot of the buildings have not been built to last a long time,” added Cywinski. He also said that the foundation needs 18 million to 20 million zlotys ($4.62 million to 5.13 million us dollars) to maintain the conservation each year.
— Auschwitz memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) December 6, 2019
“I want to show that these funds are created as a tool for the future, for the next generation, for education. This is not a way to point the finger at the history of a country, because it is not my role.
Earlier this week, the Memorial and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum have announced a record attendance for 2019, already exceeding the record of attendance in 2018.
Images: Twitter/Auschwitz-Birkenau
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