Birmingham’s annual civic commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day was hosted at Millennium Point, where the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Muhammad Afzal, led this year’s theme of One Day.
One Day is the theme for this year’s event, in the hope there may be one day in the future with no genocide. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the past, empathise with others today and take action for a better future.
The free, open event commemorated the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi persecutions, as well as other genocides around the world. This year’s programme will feature a candle-lighting ceremony as well as testimony from Mindu Hornick MBE, who will talk about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor, plus performances from violinist Simone Schehtman, Birmingham’s Young Poet Laureate Fatma Mohiuddin and the city council’s choir.
The Lord Mayor said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for everyone to pause, reflect and learn lessons from the past and apply them to the present day, to create a safer, better future.
“This year we will be able to come together to light a candle and remember victims of atrocities and genocides around the world, as well as those who are still sadly losing their lives through war, conflict and hate crime. I hope as many people as possible will join us Millennium Point on 30 January.”
Councillor John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, will be hosting the event and give a short speech. The event will also be recorded and shared via the city council’s social media accounts afterwards.
A national ceremony of remembrance for Holocaust Memorial Day will be streamed online on 27 January, at 7pm. For more details visit the Holocaust Memorial Day website.
