York commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2023

York residents are being invited to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day later this month.

Every year the 27 January marks Holocaust Memorial Day. Around this time, people all across the world join together to remember and reflect on the horrific events of the Holocaust, genocides and persecutions on a worldwide scale.

Across the city there will be a programme of commemorative events, inspired by the national theme ‘Ordinary People’.

The events will commemorate the past, explore the continued persecutions of the present and encourage positive actions that make a difference in the future.

Events include the University of York Holocaust Memorial Day Lecture on Tuesday 24 January from 6.30-7.30pm, with a special in person conversation with author Rebecca Clifford, in which she reflects on the creation of the moving book Survivors: Children’s Lives after the Holocaust.

York Minster will host its annual Holocaust Memorial Commemoration at from 6.30pm on Wednesday 25 January. 600 candles will be set out on the floor in the form of the Star of David, lit in memory of more than 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis in World War Two.

The event – following Evensong (5.30pm in the Quire) – will include readings, music, poetry, prayers and periods of silence for quiet reflection.

The service is free and no tickets are required. More information is available at  https://yorkminster.org/whats-on/event/holocaust-memorial-commemoration/

Residents are also invited to City of York’s Civic Event, hosted by the Lord Mayor and Civic Party, on Thursday 26 January from 6pm-8pm at York St John University’s Creative Centre., Lord Mayor’s Walk.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities, said: “As a city, we are committed to honouring and remembering those who have lost their lives in the atrocities of the Holocaust. As we take time to reflect, we must all work together to stop division and the spread of hatred in our society.

“We must be vigilant in our opposition to hatred, discrimination and oppression – and vigilant in defence of peace, respect and human rights. This Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to remember that we can all play a part and take action to challenge prejudice.”                                      

Sam Borin, Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Committee Chair, said:“Holocaust Memorial Day gives us all the opportunity to reflect not only on events in the past, but on how our own actions can help to ensure that such atrocities do not happen in the future. We can all play our part, however small it may seem.

“On behalf of the Holocaust Memorial Steering Group, I’d like to thank everyone who has made the commemorative events possible. It is a great example of how by working together, we as ‘ordinary people’ can achieve much more than would have been possible alone.”

Full details of all the events, including a commemoration at Cliffords Tower on 16 March, are available at www.york.gov.uk/HolocaustMemorialDay

For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day and national events, visit: www.hmd.org.uk