The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945.

This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas.

Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

Solemn Ceremony on the International Holocaust Commemoration Day 2025

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Cello concert by Sam Lucas playing the works of Pál Hermann (1902-1944)

European Parliament commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day at a plenary session in Brussels, with Corrie Hermann honouring her father, cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered by the Nazis in 1944. On this occasion, Sam Lucas gives a cello concert, playing the works of Pál Hermann. This news item shows extracts from the Cello concert by Sam Lucas in the Parlamentarium.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Cello concert by Sam Lucas playing the works of Pál Hermann (1902-1944): extracts from the concert

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945. This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. This clip shows the story of his cello.

Clip: International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025 - "The Cello of Pàl Hermann"

Corrie Hermann, daughter of the Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, and dr Kate Kennedy, biographer, make a statement on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the European Parliament. Born on 27 March 1902 in Budapest, Pál Hermann was a student of Béla Bartók and considered one of the best cellists of his era. He moved to Berlin in the 1920s and gave concerts all over Europe on his Gagliano cello. In 1933, Hermann fled to Belgium and France. Upon his arrest by the Nazis in Toulouse in 1944, he managed to throw a note from the train, asking for the Gagliano to be saved from the Nazis. The note was found and a friend of Hermann's cycled 100 kilometres to rescue the instrument. Hermann was murdered by the Nazis in a camp in the Baltics in 1944. His cello was rediscovered 80 years later being played by a competitor in the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: statement by Corrie Hermann, daughter of the cellist Pál Hermann and by Kate Kennedy, biographer

Holocaust Remembrance Day - Group photo with the leaders of political groups

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945. This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas. Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Closing of the ceremony

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945. This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas. Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: The "Kaddish" by Maurice Ravel, performed by Sam Lucas and Sadie Fields

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Minute of silence in memory of Holocaust victims

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: keynote speech by Corrie HERMANN, daughter of Pál HERMANN, cellist and composer, victim of the Holocaust

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Musical interlude "Duo for violin and cello - II. Andante" by Pál Hermann, performed by Sam Lucas, cello, and Sadie Fields, violin

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Introductory speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Corrie Hermann, daughter of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann

Holocaust Remembrance day: European Parliament buildings in Brussels display the banner #WeRemember

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Screening of the video clip: "The cello of Pàl Hermann"

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Opening of the Ceremony by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This News item shows the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Corrie Hermann, daughter of the Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann. On the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Parliament highlights the story of the Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas. Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting antisemitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: extracts from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Corrie Hermann, daughter of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Atmosphere shots in the hemicycle

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945. This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas. Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting antisemitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.