Over 2,500 events will take place across the country tomorrow to mark National Holocaust Memorial Day, 70 years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Hundreds of people are expected at most events with the UK Commemorative Event, where more than 200 survivors will be in attendance, being broadcast by the BBC as part of Holocaust Memorial Season, allowing many more to commemorate HMD in their own homes.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) is behind the rise in events and Communications Manager Mark Harrison believes that due to recent issues, the day is as important as ever.
“Genocide has taken place over and over since the Holocaust, and is still continuing in Darfur with the recent attacks in Paris also demonstrating how potent the threat of antisemitism is,” he said.
“We all need to come together to remember the horrific events of the Holocaust, and to reflect on the lessons we need to learn from those events.
“Seventy specially chosen events will be lighting a candle designed by internationally-acclaimed sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor to represent the 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.”
Nottingham events to mark the Holocaust Memorial Day
– Bramcote Hills Park is holding a community event between 11am and 12am on Tuesday 27 January to remember those affected by the crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust.
– Broadway Cinema is showing a special screening of Claude Lanzmann’s latest film the Last of the Unjust. The film introduces Rabbi Benjamin Murmelstein, who ran the ‘model ghetto’ of Theresienstadt from 1944, and was the only ‘elder’ to survive the war.
– National Holocaust Centre at Laxton will welcome holocaust survivors, civic leaders from across the East Midlands for a special event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27 January (10.30am – 12noon). The event, will remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution and the victims of genocides in Armenia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
– Nottingham Lakeside Arts is running a number of events throughout the week. Visitors are invited to explore temporary display cases of objects from Nazi Germany, loaned by the National Holocaust Centre. The items are on display alongside the Lee Miller’s War exhibition, which features the work of one of the most remarkable female icons of the 20th century and is on display until February 1. Most notably Holocaust survivor, Bob Norton’s talk, Speaking of Survival takes places from 2-3pm in the Arts Centre Lecture Theatre on Sunday 1 February.
The HMDT was set up by the Government in 2005 when there were fewer than 300 activities taking place to commemorate Holocaust Memorial.
Now ten years on thanks to their work there are 2,500 and Mark wants to keep that number on the rise, as well as having children interested in the history of the Holocaust.
“It is really important to have a wide range of events because this is the best way that they can appeal to as wide a range of people as possible,” he said.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to engage in the life stories of the Holocaust with the best way to ensure young people remember by commemorating the event each year, in their schools and communities.”
“70 specially chosen events will be lighting a candle designed by internationally-acclaimed sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor to represent the 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenhau.”
Mark Harrison, Communications Manager at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
So as the United Kingdom and countries further afield prepare to mark National Holocaust Memorial Day, the time to remember is of even greater importance than ever before.
And Mark believes that there is still a lot to do, to continue remembering the events of 70 years ago as well as shedding light on what still is happening now.
“The Holocaust demonstrates the appalling consequences of unchecked antisemitism and hatred,” he said.
Images: A sample of last year’s Holocaust Memorial Day celebrations
Stephen Fry meets Holocaust survivor
Lakeside Arts Theatre Exhibition
