York marks Holocaust Memorial Day with programme of events

Residents and visitors are invited to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 with a programme of commemorative online and in-person events.

Holocaust Memorial Day occurs on 27 January every year, with people across the world join together to remember and reflect on the horrific events of the Holocaust, genocides and persecutions on a worldwide scale.

York is committed to delivering a programme of events, working with a range of partners both in and outside the city, inspired by the national theme ‘For A Better Future’, commemorating the past, exploring the continued persecutions of the present and encourage positive actions that make a difference in the future.

This HMD marks the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30^th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

Events include York Minister’s annual 600 candles commemoration on 23 January; York’s annual civic event on 27 January and an online Holocaust Memorial Day Lecture on Wednesday 29 January 

Finally, the annual Clifford’s Tower Commemoration  will be held on Sunday 16 March at Clifford’s Tower, Tower Street, York YO1 9SA, to commemoration the 1190 massacre of York’s Jewish population at the site of York Castle at Clifford’s Tower. The event will be attended by the Lord Mayor and Civic Party, with music, spoken accounts and contributions, concluding with prayer and an act of remembrance.

Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day provides us all with an opportunity to join together to remember and reflect on atrocities of the past as well as an opportunity to work together towards a more peaceful future, free from hatred and oppression.

“This year’s programme provides both online and in-person events, making it as easy as possible for everyone to get involved. Thanks to all our partners across the city who have helped put the programme together.”

Sam Borin, Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Committee Chair, said: “I'm very excited about our programme of events this year, and the range of community partners who are making these events possible. It shows that the City of York and its people stand united against hatred, racist violence and genocide.”

For full details of all the events, visit: www.york.gov.uk/HolocaustMemorialDay

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