The borough’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony, on Wednesday 27 January, will be webcast live, enabling all who are unable to attend to witness events as they happen.
HMD is an international event marking the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27 1945, and other, subsequent, genocides. In remembrance of those fateful events, Croydon will honour the memory of victims with a public candle-lighting ceremony and an opportunity to sign the book of remembrance, from noon, in the foyer of Croydon Town Hall in Katharine Street.
The candle-lighting will be followed by the webcast civic event, from 12.30 to 1.40pm in the council chamber, to remember the millions murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.
The webcast will be available on the day by clicking here.
This year’s theme is “don’t stand by”, imploring individuals and nations to not stand silently by as atrocities are enacted. Bystanders enabled the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides. More information is available here.
A highlight of this year’s HMD events will be a talk by Eva Schloss, a friend of Anne Frank before the Second World War. Anne’s diaries of the hardships she and her family suffered while hiding from the Nazis in a secret attic in Amsterdam have been read by millions.
Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice
“As we remember the victims of the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica and other atrocities across the world, the ceremony gives us an opportunity to think about how we can stand together – and not stand by – to counter intolerance and exclusion today.
“The candle-lighting ceremony, held each year in Croydon, keeps the memory alive and helps unite our borough’s diverse communities in recognition of those who lost their lives to genocide.
“This is a free event and I’d encourage people to come along to show their support.”
To confirm attendance of the Town Hall ceremony, email or call 020 8726 6000 extension 62530.
The programme of events for Holocaust Memorial Day 2016 is available here, and includes:
A guided tour of the death camps
Darren Wray’s grandfather never talked about his role in liberating one of the death camps in Germany at the end of the Second World War. His illustrated talk describes his personal exploration of the terrible events that occurred, and contains some distressing images.
David Lean Cinema, Croydon Clocktower – Tuesday 19 January, 5.15 to 6.15pm
Admission free.
Eva Schloss talk
Eva will be giving an inspiring talk about her life. She was sent to Auschwitz, along with her mother, in 1944. When the camp was liberated, they searched for her father and brother, but, tragically, both had been killed in Mauthausen. Before the war, Eva had become friendly with Anne Frank and, in 1953, her mother married Anne’s father Otto.
Braithwaite Hall, Croydon Clocktower – Tuesday 19 January. Balcony Bar open 6pm; talk 6.30 to 8.30pm.
Admission free, but spaces are limited, so it is advisable to book.
Hidden histories
Find out about the significance of the special objects saved by six survivors from their lives before genocide.
Croydon Central Library – Saturday 23 January to Saturday 31 January.
Admission free.
Holocaust Memorial Day Civic Ceremony
Come together to remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.
Croydon Town Hall – Wednesday 27 January, noon to 1.40pm
Admission free.
Phoenix (12A)
Jewish singer Nelly returns to Berlin as a concentration camp survivor, following plastic surgery for a gunshot injury. The surgery leaves her beautiful yet, perhaps, unrecognisable, and she tracks down her gentile husband, Johnny. Convinced that Nelly is dead, he can see only a passable lookalike who might help him claim her property. An intriguing, suspenseful film about deception and self-deception, belief and identity.
David Lean Cinema, Croydon Clocktower – Wednesday, 27 January, 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Tickets: £7.50 (£6 concessions).
Bookings: click here, telephone 0333 666 3366 or call in at Wallace Arnold World Choice, 62 George St, CR0 1PD, Monday to Saturday.
