Camden commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
This week Camden marked Holocaust Memorial Day at an event dedicated to remembering the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed during Nazi persecution and in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Tuesday 27 January marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 was “Bridging Generations”, reminding us that the responsibility of remembrance transcends generations and does not stop with survivors.
Camden Council, in partnership with the Jewish Museum London, JW3 and the Wiener Holocaust Library, held a special event to mark the day for communities and partners to come together, remember and honour victims of genocide, and reflect on this year’s theme.
Held at the Council Chamber on Judd Street, members of the public viewed exhibits before taking their seats to watch proceedings, which included a poignant recital from Rabbi Eli Levin of South Hampstead Synagogue and performance from the singers of Belsize Square and West London Synagogues.
Speakers included mother and daughter Channa and Louisa Clein, who were featured in BBC documentary “My Family, The Holocaust, and Me”. Louisa, a familiar face on British television, is known for her work for charitable causes, especially in Holocaust education. Louisa held a powerful conversation with her mother Channa, asking her about her experience of the Holocaust as a child, and raising questions around generational legacy.
Also in attendance was Marie Chantal Uwamahoro of the Ishami Foundation, sharing her personal story of losing 50 members of her family to the Rwanda Genocide in 1994, and how she also saw the best of humanity in the neighbours who hid her and helped her survive. Much like Channa, Marie’s daughter was also present at the event, highlighting the theme of “Bridging Generations”.
Future generations were well represented at the event. Eilidh and Aliza are students at the London School of Economics, and as part of the ParliaMentors scheme will one day be Faith Leaders – they shared their reflections about the speakers’ testimonies. Also, Camden Youth MP Harvey O’Brien was joined by his fellow pupils at local school Acland Burghley to light candles and pay their respects.
Camden’s Interfaith Network, including Interfaith Chairs and religious leaders, were also in attendance. The Network brings together representatives from faith and community organisations to foster interfaith dialogue.
In Camden, our proud multifaith communities have come together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and stand united against hate. Spaces like this can never be overvalued. They allow us to honour those who came before us, to hear their harrowing and cautionary experiences in the present day, and to be inspired to carry that knowledge forward. This is how we build a safer, more compassionate future. This is how diversity is Camden’s strength.
We’re grateful to have held this special annual event – grateful to those who gathered to pay their respects, and grateful to our courageous speakers who spoke valiantly.
It is everyone’s responsibility to learn about experiences of the Holocaust and genocide, so that we can bridge our learnings to future generations. In this spirit, it was encouraging to see so many of Camden’s young people at the event, ready to carry that baton of knowledge and responsibility.