The Wales’ National Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day will be held at City Hall on Monday, January 27 at 1pm, the event is jointly hosted by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government.
Holocaust Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance for victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. The day honours the survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives. It also provides an opportunity for society to reflect on the way in which we live our lives today.
Attending the event will be Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Derrick Morgan, Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal and The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the service.
Each year Holocaust Memorial Day has a UK wide theme and this year it is ‘Journeys.’ The experience of those affected by the Holocaust and genocide is characterised by forced journeys. The history of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and of the subsequent genocides is of upheaval, uprooting individuals, families and even whole communities.
The Memorial Day honours the survivors of regimes of hatred and gives the opportunity for people to reflect on the ways in which we live our lives today in order to bring our communities together to create a safer, better future.
Speaking at the event are two pupils from St Julian’s School, Newport who visited Auschwitz in 2013 as part of an ongoing project organised by the Holocaust Education Trust. The winner of the Welsh language Book of the Year 2013, Heini Gruffudd, will also be speaking about his book ‘Yr Erlid’ (The Persecuted) which describes his German-Jewish family’s story in Nazi Germany.
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Heather Joyce said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on those whose lives changed forever due to genocide and conflict. It’s also a time when we remember all those who have lost their lives through persecution.
“It’s important this day is marked so the memory of those we lost continues. These events have shaped our history and it’s imperative that future generations continue to learn from the mistakes of the past.”
Members of the public who wish to attend the service should contact the Protocol Office to reserve a place. Tel: 029 20871543
