Ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust and in genocides around the world since and is held each year on 27 January on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Telford & Wrekin Council will be holding a special civic ceremony at AFC Telford at 10.30am on Monday 27 January to mark the day.
The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘for a better future’, so the event will include guest speakers sharing their experiences, plus a short pre-recorded testimony from Manfred Goldberg, a World War II holocaust survivor, and also reflection from students at Burton Borough School on what it means to work towards ‘a better future’. This will be followed by a candle lighting as an act of remembrance.
Councillor Raj Mehta, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Engagement, Equalities and Civic Pride, said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and reflect on the atrocities and millions of people murdered in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides such as in Bosnia and elsewhere around the world.
“This year’s theme is ‘a better future, so it’s a moment to think about what we can all do to make sure the horrors of the past are not repeated, and show that we stand together against intolerance and hatred, challenge prejudices and speak out against persecution.”
The Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony is open to all, but places are limited and must be booked in advance at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/telford-and-wrekin-holocaust-memorial-day-commemoration-tickets-1151169993439
The Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony will also be livestreamed on the Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TelfordWrekin
The same evening, Southwater One will also be lit in purple as a mark of remembrance, and residents across the borough are invited to join in with the national ‘Light the Darkness’ candle-lighting moment at 8pm, as households around the world place a light in their windows to remember all those who were killed.