London,
20
January
2021
|
08:41
Europe/London

Camden commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2021

Taking place on 27 January each year, Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) commemorates all those affected by genocide.

The day is used to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides.

The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Maryam Eslamdoust, said:

“Across Camden we will be remembering the 6 million Jews and many others murdered in an unprecedented crime against humanity.

“This year’s theme is ‘Be the light in the darkness’, a call for all of us to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide.

“Holocaust Memorial Day provides us with a duty to reflect on the past, stand up to those who disseminate hatred and honour and fight for our brilliant diverse borough.”

Councillor Abdul Hai, Cabinet Member for Young People, Equalities & Cohesion said:

 “Across Camden we will be remembering all those who have been affected by the Holocaust, and genocides around the world.

“Holocaust Memorial Day gives us the chance to reflect on the past and think about what we can learn to help us confront discrimination and celebrate our diversity as a borough today."

This year, Holocaust Memorial Day will be predominantly marked online due to the pandemic. This however does not take away from the day’s importance or impact, and there is still a wide range of virtual events taking place across the borough, providing a chance to reflect and remember.

On Thursday 21 January, from 8.00 to 9.30pm, the Council has again partnering with the Jewish Museum for its annual Holocaust Memorial Day event, this year held on Zoom.

Joan Salter and Ruth Barnett, Holocaust survivors and education speakers, will share their testimonies and reflect on the importance of Holocaust education today. This will be followed by a Q&A, and then end with a candle-lighting led by the Mayor.

If you wish to join, please book a ticket online at: https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/event/light-from-darkness-holocaust-memorial-day-event/

A range of talks and ceremonies to mark HMD are taking place nationally and in the borough

  • 27 January, 7 to 8pm. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust ceremonyJoin the national campaign to come together for a moment of reflection and remembrance. The event starts online at 7pm followed by the lighting of a candle at 8pm. More information is available on Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website.
  • 28 January, 9pm. The Possibilities for Empathy in Holocaust MemorialsThe Berlin Holocaust Memorial Competition of the 1990s led to the building of 'The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe'. With a look at designs that kindle empathetic responses, this online lecture focuses on other designs for the competition, engaging with issues of empathy, secondary witnessing and depictions of concentration camp iconography.To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-possibilities-for-empathy-in-holocaust-memorials-tickets-135142614197
  • Open until Sun 11 April. The British Library: Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written WordThrough rarely-seen treasures from as far back as the 10th century, this virtual exhibition takes you from Europe and North Africa, through to the Middle East and China to explore the relationships between Jews and their neighbours in the communities that they lived in.For more information visit: https://www.bl.uk/events/hebrew-manuscripts#