Auschwitz Day

Every year on the 27th of January Denmark marks Auschwitz Day – Day of Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance in Denmark.

Auschwitz Day is the official day of Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance in Denmark. The 27th of January is marked in many other European countries as well as by the UN and the EU as a memorial day for Holocaust and other genocides. The purpose of Auschwitz Day is two-fold. It is a day to commemorate the victims of Nazi persecution as well as victims of other genocidal regimes. Moreover, the aim of Auschwitz Day is to place genocide on the agenda and to encourage discussions of the ethical and political challenges these crimes raise.

The marking of Auschwitz Day includes a wide variety of activities aiming at providing insight into the dynamics of genocide and to contribute to the prevention of future genocides.

Why the name “Auschwitz Day”?

Taking departure in the Stockholm Declaration, the Danish government decided in 2002 to establish a commemoration day to address both the victims and the crimes of the Holocaust and of other genocides. The day was named after the Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz which was liberated on the 27th of January 1945 by Soviet troops. Today, Auschwitz is the site of a historic crime; the genocide of Europe’s Jews. Auschwitz is also considered a symbol of horrific suffering and a symbol of the atrocities caused by racist ideologies and totalitarian regimes.

Thematic focus

In order to illustrate the complexity of the phenomena genocide, Auschwitz Day has a new thematic perspective each year. Previous topics include "Bystander or Rescuer?" (2004), "Perpetrators" (2005), "The Aftermath of Genocide" (2006), "Prelude to Genocide" (2007), "Sites of Persecution" (2008), "Faces of Rescue" (2009), "Dangerous Ideas" (2010) and "Struggle Over the Past" in 2011. The changing topics ensure that different issues are highlighted and new questions are raised every year.

Activities on Auschwitz Day

The activities connected with Auschwitz Day are organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Broadly speaking, these activities fall into two categories: 1) public events in municipalities around Denmark and 2) educational activities conducted by DIIS, Holocaust and Genocide.

To mark Auschwitz Day, the municipalities organize special events on 27th of January. These include commemoration services, survivor testimonies, film screenings, debates, exhibitions, concerts, and plays. For more information, see www.27-1.dk (only in Danish).
In the weeks leading up to 27th of January, DIIS, Holocaust and Genocide, conducts a series of seminars on genocide for high school students from all over the country. Here, they learn about the dynamics of genocide and the challenges connected with prevention. More than 2,000 students participate in workshops with different perspectives and discuss relevant questions, problems, and dilemmas related to genocide.
DIIS, Holocaust and Genocide, offers a series of multidisciplinary educational material for primarily high school students, but also for younger groups. The educational material includes three websites (www.folkedrab.dk, www.holocaust.dk and www.theresienstadt.dk – but only in Danish) which aims at 16-19 year olds. The educational websites can be used by both teachers and students and include articles on the Holocaust, Holocaust denial and other genocides, source material, working questions, eye witness testimonies, and suggestions for further reading. Recently, the unit has published an educational resource on antisemitism and other forms of intolerance to be used in secondary school (13-16 year olds).

Download English folder about Auschwitz Day

For more information about Auschwitz Day and the educational activities, please contact Stine Thuge at +45 32 69 89 49 or or Solvej Berlau at +45 32 69 89 33 or

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