Never Again - Holocaust Memorial Day
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and this year marks 80 years since the liberation of the infamous former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
I’ve signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, and in doing so pledged my commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day – honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.
Holocaust Memorial Day falls on 27th January, the liberation of the infamous former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation in 1945. Across the UK – and internationally– people will come together to remember the Holocaust.
With survivors becoming older and frailer, this is likely to be the last significant anniversary at which Holocaust survivors will be present, and able to share their eye-witness testimony. As the Holocaust moves from living memory to history, today presents a key opportunity to bring the Holocaust to the fore of our national consciousness.
In the lead up to today commemorative events have been arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across Blackpool and beyond, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘For a Better Future’.
Today we also remember and pay tribute to all of those persecuted by the Nazis, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay men, political opponents to the Nazis and others. We also remember all of those affected by genocide since.
It is vital that we remember the six million Jewish people murdered by the Nazis and remember the enduring call ‘Never Again’ – a stark warning of the dangers of unchecked hatred.
To learn more about the Holocaust or for educational resources visit the Holocaust Educational Trust here. See their video above about the innovative ways they’re working to ensure its horrors are not repeated.
