Croydon to remember victims of Holocaust and genocide

Holocaust Memorial Day this year falls on Friday (27).

HMD is an international event remembering those murdered in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, including those in Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur.

This year’s theme – How can life go on? – asking people to think about what happens after genocide, and of our own responsibilities in the wake of such a crime, is broad and open ended with few known answers.

More information can be found at http://hmd.org.uk/resources/theme-papers/hmd-2017-how-can-life-go

Croydon will honour the memory of victims with a public candle-lighting ceremony and an opportunity to sign the book of remembrance, in the foyer of Croydon Town Hall in Katharine Street, Croydon, on Friday at noon.

Presentations in the council chamber will follow, including readings from local school pupils and presentations by two holocaust survivors. Croydon resident Henry Walsh will speak of his escape on the kindertransport, while Marcel Ladenheim addresses the theme of How can life go on?

The day marks the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, and is a time to:
•    remember those murdered in the Holocaust and under Nazi persecution, and during subsequent genocides, including Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur; and
•    hope for a safer, inclusive society where the differences between us are respected as reality today and in the future.

Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice

“The events witnessed at Auschwitz, Srebrenica, and other atrocities across the world, while terrible to contemplate, must never be forgotten.

“The lessons of the Holocaust teach us the ultimate consequences of prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

“The events taking place across Croydon will bring us together in solidarity to remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives to genocide.”

The David Lean Cinema in Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET, will be screening two dedicated films:

Tuesday 24 January at 7.30pm
Sarah’s Key (12A)
2010 France – 111 mins (subtitled)
www.davidleancinema.org.uk/event/sarahs-key/

Thursday 26 January at 2.30 and 7.30pm
The Innocents (15)
2016 France/Poland ¬– 115 mins (subtitled)
www.davidleancinema.org.uk/event/innocents/

To support schools with classroom-based projects, an activity pack is available at http://hmd.org.uk/content/order-or-download-activity-pack In addition, visit www.cferinfo.org.uk to find resources for schools and the wider community.

For further information about Holocaust Memorial Day 2017 or Croydon’s candle-lighting ceremony, email michael.frean@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6000 extn 61623.

To attend the Town Hall event, confirm attendance by emailing communityrelations@croydon.gov.uk or calling 020 8726 6000 extension 62530.

2017-01-23T16:18:55+00:00 January 23rd, 2017|Recent news|