Anastasiya Huley is 99 years old and has vivid memories of what she endured at Auschwitz 80 years ago.
"All that was left of us was skin and bones. We were people from the underworld who died and were reborn," she told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.
Huley was taken to the notorious Nazi concentration camp after escaping forced labor in Germany during World War II.
Five years ago, she attended commemorations there to mark its liberation by Soviet troops. This year, she's not among the dwindling group of survivors making the trip.
Many were brought to Auschwitz in cattle trucks as children. Now in their 80s and 90s, they gather for what will be among the most poignant anniversaries of its liberation.
Nazi Germany murdered some 1.1 million men, women, and children at Auschwitz between 1940-45. Around 1 million of those were Jews. Other victims were Roma, political prisoners, and Soviet prisoners of war.
Some 50 survivors have made the trip to Auschwitz this year. As ever, they will be joined by monarchs, politicians, and diplomats.
In many ways, the anniversaries are marked by continuity: the Jewish prayer for the dead, the Kaddish, is performed; the victims are honored with solemnity, and the refrain is repeated: "Never again."
But the commemoration is also marked through the prism of contemporary events.
The camp was liberated by Soviet soldiers, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been invited since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
"We remember the victims, but we also celebrate liberty," Auschwitz Museum chief Piotr Cywinski said, according to AFP. "It's difficult to imagine the presence of Russia, which clearly does not understand the value of liberty."
Israel will have a sizeable delegation led by Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Earlier, there was controversy surrounding the possible attendance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Auschwitz is in Poland, which is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave.
The Polish authorities indicated that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he came, but he has said he will not be attending anyway.
The anniversary is always a moment to reflect on anti-Semitism. This year, United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk said it was "rampant."
In a statement on January 24, he said "Jews face increasing intimidation, threats, and physical violence."
In July, the European Union released findings from a survey of Jews in 13 member states. It found that 80 percent felt anti-Semitism had grown and that anti-Semitic incidents had increased since the attack on Israel in October 2023 by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU.
At previous Auschwitz commemorations, politicians have made speeches. This year, they will not. It may be the last round anniversary at which survivors can play a major role, and the focus is firmly on them.
Huley said her memories have haunted her for her entire life. Despite this, she insists she is not bitter.
"Look into my heart and soul and you will not find any desire for revenge or any hatred for the Germans," she says.
