Keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive

Bury’s young people took the lead in keeping alive the memory of those who experienced the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

Students from colleges and secondary schools, faith leaders, musicians and community members took part in Bury’s Holocaust Memorial Day event, held at Radcliffe Civic Suite on Tuesday (27 January). It was an evening of poetry, dance, drama and music, and readings from the account of a survivor who lived through the Holocaust.

Holocaust Memorial Day is held every year on 27 January, this year it marked the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The day remembers the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides that took place in Darfur, Bosnia, Cambodia and Rwanda, and aims to tackle prejudice, discrimination and racism in the present day.

The theme for HMD 2015 is “Keeping the memory alive”, encouraging people to build understanding, to unite in a common cause and reflect and remember together.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Michelle Wiseman, said: “On HMD 2015 we are asked to remember that, as a result of the Holocaust, we lost millions of memorable people and their memories. For some who survived, their memories are too painful to voice, but for those brave souls who can share their memories, it is our duty to make sure that we keep those memories alive.”

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, was joined by members of all parties and the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner in signing the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment.

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 January 2015.

Note to editors: The first Holocaust Memorial Day took place in the UK in 2001. For more information, visit www.hmd.org.uk . A copy of the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment can be found on the website.