USA Supports Virtual Tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau

On the 80th anniversary commemorating the Bialystok ghetto uprising, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced financial support for a virtual tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.

“Our commitment to such initiatives is unwavering,” emphasized Blinken. "Thanks to a $1 million budget from the US, we will bring to life a virtual visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, making its tragic history more accessible to a larger audience," he added.

Piotr Cywiński, President of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation and Director of the Auschwitz Museum, highlighted the Foundation's growing commitment to education. “The new online platform will provide global access to the Museum grounds. American aid is key to realizing this innovative concept,” said Cywiński, adding that the Museum's educational activities are not funded from the Foundation's main fund.

The upcoming app "Auschwitz at Your Fingertips" will allow global users to learn directly from the authentic Memorial site. It will feature a live narrative, multimedia materials, and archival resources.

Mark Brzeziński, US Ambassador to Poland, expressed satisfaction with the US's participation in this globally-reaching educational project. Wojciech Soczewica, General Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, emphasized the importance of this technology in promoting memory and global-scale education.

The platform's project was developed in collaboration with the Museum, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, Israeli companies AppsFlyer and Diskin, as well as with the technological support of companies like Orange, and numerous private donors and foundations.