It appears that the largest tent in Europe is up in Europe and they are securing the facility to house 3,500 survivors, state delegations, and institutional leaders. The tent structure costing over 3 million euros to construct, will provide shelter and heat from the solid winter conditions to the attendees. Irony that will not be lost on most who attend, shelter that most prisoners or those condemned to die never had. The similar configuration of the site to that of 75th anniversary is taking place with one significant addition.
The focal point of this years visual presentation, the cargo carriage or cattle car. You can see in the above picture the car emerging through the center of the death gate. This is the entrance point of almost all who came by train after 1944. That is when the train spur was connected to the ramp in the interior of the Birkenau.
This car is symbolic in many ways. Yet, it is difficult to capture a single concise expression that conveys its meaning. It meant death to some, for the journey to the camp some would never survive. For others the car meant hope, which they would again be of use to Germany and the belief the family could stay together. Hope was present somewhere, yet for almost all there was dread of the unknown. These few words that try to capture the symbolic nature will never ever capture survivors emotions and memories this car represents. That is why it is best to watch the anniversary ceremony and hear their words at the place the first entered Auschwitz, at the death gate.
Tedaction 
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