Bradford Council is holding a special ceremony to remember the Holocaust and other genocides.
Bradford’s Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Victoria Hall, Saltaire at 11am on Friday, 27 January.
Holocaust Memorial Day will be marked in similar ceremonies across the world.
This year’s theme, ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ encourages people to consider what they see and hear around them, and to actively speak out against hatred and discrimination.
It was on 27 January, 1945 that the largest Nazi killing camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated.
Tragically, the Holocaust was a defining episode of the 20th century.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Naveeda Ikram will bear witness at the event along with representatives of Bradford’s Jewish community, gypsies, disabled people, trade unions, gay, lesbian and bisexual groups, faith groups, Central and Eastern European communities, and people who have experienced modern day genocides.
Participants will light candles and pledge to never forget the Holocaust nor forget its lessons.
Guest speaker Trude Silman will reflect on her experiences as a Holocaust survivor and Coun Ian Greenwood, Leader of Bradford Council, will talk about discrimination and its impact on individuals and communities.
The memorial ceremony is to be lead by the Reverend Canon Sam Randall.
Special music is to be played by Bradford’s Freylach Spielers Klezmer Group and violinist Mark Ostyn, and a mourning song will be sung by Rudi Leavor from Bradford Hebrew Synagogue.
Students and staff of Aire Valley School and Ben Rhydding, and Wellington Primary Schools will take part in the day’s activities.
A special poem written by Bradford’s Poet Laureate, Gerard Benson, will be read out on the day.
Last year over 200 people representing different victim and survivor groups, faiths, cultural and political backgrounds gathered from across Bradford district to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Naveeda Ikram, said: "We must never forget the depth of human suffering caused by the holocaust and modern genocides.
"Over 11 million people were murdered by the Nazis. They were individuals - somebody’s friend, mother, father, child, colleague or neighbour.
"We must all remain vigilant and Speak Up and Speak Out whenever we witness discrimination or hatred.”
Coun Ian Greenwood, Leader of Bradford Council, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day gives local people from different backgrounds an opportunity to stand together and remember the suffering caused by the Nazis and other similar regimes.
"Genocide doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process which begins when differences are used to discriminate and marginalise people.
"This year’s theme reminds us that we all have a duty to take a stand against all prejudice and hate.
"By understanding these tragic historical episodes and taking an active role in challenging all forms of discrimination, we can all help ensure these crimes are never repeated.
Attendance at Bradford’s Holocaust Memorial Day is by RSVP only.
Please telephone Anna Frater on 01274 431498 to RSVP.
