Commemoration Ceremony

80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau concentration camp

The central commemorative ceremony of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau concentration camp will take place on Sunday, 4th May 2025.

We ask for your understanding that it will not be possible to visit the Memorial Site on this day: Due to the anniversary events, all the buildings on-site as well as large outdoor sections of the memorial site will not be accessible to the public. If you wish to follow the ceremony on-site on the screen, please allow sufficient time for the security checks at the entrances.

Seating is available in front of the big screen. Please do not bring camping chairs or similar.

Information on the program and important information regarding directions, parking and security checks can be found bellow.

Media accreditation for the central commemoration ceremony was possible until Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:00 noon.

9:15 am: Ecumenical Service (Protestant, Catholic and Greek Orthodox) at the Carmelite Convent of the Precious Blood (until 10.15 am)

9:30 am: Russian-Orthodox Service at the Chapel “Resurrection of Our Lord”

9:45 am: Jewish Remembrance Ceremony of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria at the Jewish Memorial (until 10.30 am)

10:45 am: Remembrance ceremony at the former Crematorium (official invitation only)

The ceremony can be followed on a large screen outside the marquee tent on the former roll call square.

  • Mario Candotto, survivor of the Dachau concentration camp
  • Florian Hartmann, Lord Mayor of the Town of Dachau
  • Master of Ceremonies: Serge Quentin

Follwowing: Procession along the former camp road

11:45 am: Central commemorative ceremony at the former roll call area (official invitation only)

The central commemorative ceremony will be broadcast live on Bavarian television and a large screen outside the marquee tent on the former roll call square.

  • Welcome Dr. Gabriele Hammermann, Director of the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
  • Welcome Karl Freller, Director of the Bavarian Memorial Foundation
  • Greeting Julia Klöckner, President of the German Bundestag
  • Commemorative Message Bud Gahs, representative of the liberators, veteran of the U.S. Army
  • Greeting Dominique Boueilh, President of the Comité International de Dachau
  • Commemorative Message Jean Lafaurie, survivor of the Dachau concentration camp
  • Commemorative Message Abba Naor, survivor of the Dachau concentration camp
  • Commemorative Message Leslie Rosenthal, son of a survivor of Dachau concentration camp, born in Kaufering subcamp
  • Greeting Ulrike Scharf, Bavarian Minister of State for Family, Labour and Social Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister
  • Greeting Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament
  • Commemoration of the Deceased Josephine Hildinger, FSJ Culture and Education at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site & Clea Schendel, former FSJ Culture and Education at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
  • A minute of Silence
  • Wreath Commemoration

Moderated by

Ilanit Spinner, journalist

Musical Accompaniment

Quartet of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich

Samuel Voiler, Cello
Bertram Bossert, Trumpet

Following: Day of Encounters (official invitation only)
In cooperation with the Förderverein für Internationale Jugendbegegnung und Gedenkstättenarbeit in Dachau e.V. 

Information on directions and parking

Safety note

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