Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is held annually on 27 January to remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust and in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than a million people died during the Second World War.
This year it also marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
To commemorate the day, Dorchester Town Council, Dorset Council and Kushti Bok have organised a free, public event on Friday 24 January at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester from 12.30pm-1.30pm.
The event will include readings and poetry including contributions from local schools.
The theme for this year is ‘For a Better Future’ which express solidarity with our communities and commit to a better future where people are not suffering prejudice or persecution because of their faith, ethnicity or other characteristic.
Finally, the event will conclude with the lighting of candles and a minute’s silence. Free refreshments will be available afterwards. The Corn Exchange will be open from midday to allow time to view displays and meet with the organisers, before the event commences at 12.30pm.
Cllr Stella Jones, Chair of Dorset Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day provides a reminder of all those who suffered and died because of their religious beliefs or cultural differences. It gives an opportunity for everyone to pause, reflect and learn lessons from the past to help create a safer, better future.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Flag which will be flown over County Hall for the day on Monday 27th January.”
Cllr Robin Potter, The Mayor of Dorchester says:
“This is always a very poignant event, and one that is still meaningful today. It allows us not only to remember those who died during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, but also to honour their deaths by pledging to stand up to discrimination and hatred which we continue to need to resist today.”
Emma Scott, Community Development Officer at Dorchester Town Council says:
“This is a longstanding event that the Town Council have always been pleased to support. We especially value the input of children and young people as it ensures that the lessons of the past are being learned and shared to create a better future.”
If you’d like to learn more about this year’s theme, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has a range of resources including life stories, recommendations for book clubs, poetry and short films.
