The Iasi Pogrom remains a stark warning about the consequences of hatred, intolerance and indifference, Romania's interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said in a message marking the 85th anniversary of the June 1941 tragedy, stressing that the memory of the victims calls for responsibility and vigilance.

The message, delivered in Iasi by State Secretary Dragos Hotea during commemorative events, said Romania is marking one of the most painful episodes in its history and one of the darkest chapters of the Holocaust on Romanian territory.

'These days invite us to reflection, remembrance and contemplation. We bow our heads before the victims and keep alive the memory of the thousands of lives cut short by violence, hatred and dehumanisation. More than 13,000 Jews were murdered during those days, leaving a deep wound in the history of the Jewish community and Romanian society,' Bolojan said.

The interim prime minister said the Iasi Pogrom remained a stark warning about the consequences of hatred, intolerance and indifference.

'It reminds us how grave the consequences become when discrimination is tolerated and human dignity is no longer defended. The memory of these victims calls on us to show clarity of judgement, responsibility and vigilance,' he said.

Bolojan added that Romanians had a duty to preserve historical truth and pass on the lessons of these tragedies to future generations. He also reaffirmed the Romanian government's commitment 'to combating antisemitism, hate speech and all forms of intolerance.'

'On behalf of the Government of Romania, I reaffirm our firm commitment to combating antisemitism, hate speech and all forms of intolerance. We will continue to support Holocaust education, preserve the memory of the victims and reject any attempt to deny, distort or justify these crimes. We remain committed to strengthening an open, democratic and inclusive society based on respect, responsibility and the defence of every person's dignity,' the interim prime minister said.

A series of events commemorating the 1941 Iasi Pogrom is taking place in the northeastern Romanian city.

Earlier on Sunday, the 12th edition of the March of Life, a ceremony commemorating Holocaust victims initiated by Rabbi Josef Wasserman, was held at the Jewish Cemetery in the presence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean. The event was attended by relatives of victims and survivors of the Iasi Pogrom, central and local officials, students and representatives of the academic community.

The speeches were followed by the burial at the Jewish Cemetery of human remains discovered in a mass grave at Popricani. A religious service in memory of those killed during the summer 1941 pogrom was also held, followed by wreath-laying ceremonies at the victims' memorials, attended by President Herzog, who is paying a state visit to Romania.

Later on Sunday, official ceremonies are scheduled at the Jewish cemeteries in Podu Iloaiei and Targu Frumos. A memorial concert by the 'Gavriil Musicescu' Choir of the Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra will take place at the Museum House, followed by the opening of the comic-book exhibition 'Images from the Past: The Iasi Pogrom.' AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniela Malache; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)