Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated on 27th January each year - this marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Nationally, Holocaust Memorial Day aims to:
- Recognise that the Holocaust was a tragically defining episode of the 20th Century, a crisis for European civilisation and a universal catastrophe for humanity.
- Provide a national mark of respect for all victims of Nazi persecution and demonstrate understanding with all those who still suffer its consequences.
- Raise awareness and understanding of the events of the Holocaust as a continuing issue of fundamental importance for all humanity.
- Ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimisation committed during the Holocaust are neither forgotten nor repeated, whether in Europe or elsewhere in the world.
- Restate the continuing need for vigilance in light of the troubling repetition of human tragedies in the world today.
- Reflect on more recent atrocities that raise similar issues.
- Provide a national focus for educating subsequent generations about the Holocaust and the continued relevance of the lessons that are learnt from it.
- Provide an opportunity to examine our nations past and learn for the future.
- Promote a democratic and tolerant society, free of the evils of prejudice, racism and other forms of bigotry.
- Support the view that all citizens-without distinction-should participate freely and fully in the economic, social and public life of the nation.
- Highlight the values of a tolerant and diverse society based upon the notions of universal dignity and equal rights and responsibilities for all its citizens.
- Assert a continuing commitment to oppose racism, anti-semitism, victimisation and genocide.
This year's commemorative ceremony will be taking place at 1pm on Thursday, 26th January 2012, in the Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, and feature a testimony from Jim Gellert, a representative of the Association of Jewish Refugees.
If you would like more information on Darlington Borough Council's Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations, please contact Paul Dalton on 01325 388387, or by e-mail at paul.dalton@darlington.gov.uk