Croydon’s communities will come together to commemorate the Holocaust alongside the 25th anniversary of the Bosnian and other genocides as part of an international day of remembrance.
Holocaust Memorial Day will see people from across Croydon unite on Monday 27 January at a special ceremony in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Katharine Street at 11.50am, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz.
The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is Stand Together, encouraging communities across the globe to join together.
At Croydon’s event Bosnian genocide survivor Safet Vukalic will address the crowd and there will be a minute’s silence, a candle-lighting ceremony and a chance to sign the borough’s book of condolence before a short reception.
School children across the borough were given the chance to enter an essay competition reflecting on this year’s theme earlier this year. The winner will read their essay at the civic event where pupils from secondary schools will also be making a presentation.
Safet said: “The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has been working hard to engage everyone and anyone to help us all understand consequences of actions and inactions. We all must Stand Together and face the evil around us in whatever form it comes as that is the only way we can prevail.”
“This annual ceremony of remembrance is an important moment to honour the memory of the millions who lost their lives lost to genocides including the Holocaust, and those in Rwanda and Srebrenica and other atrocities.
“The candle-lighting ceremony we hold each year gives us an opportunity to stand in solidarity against hatred and play an active role in making sure we never see such horrors again.”
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities
More information on the free event is available online.
