At Auschwitz, the Germans left behind barracks and watchtowers, the remains of gas chambers and the hair and personal belongings of people killed there. The “Arbeit macht frei” (work will set you free) gate is recognized the world over.

No speeches were being made by politicians at the ceremony, with the focus on the voices of the few remaining survivors of the camp. Former inmates laid flowers at the camp's Death Wall in the morning,

The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops is being observed at the site of the former Nazi death camp.