Holocaust Memorial Day: commemoration events

  • Central

Memorial services are due to take place across the region to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

It marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the former German Nazi camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in occupied Poland.

It also remembers both survivors and victims of the genocides of WWII, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.

Train tracks at Auschwitz - Birkenau in Poland. Credit: PA Images

West Midlands:

Birmingham

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham will lead the city’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations at the Council House on Sunday, 26 January.

The theme for this year’s event, which takes place in the Banqueting Suite, is Stand Together and admission is free for all.

Sandwell

The event at Highfields Memorial Gardens, off High Street, on Sunday 26 January will remember the millions of victims of genocide.

The main speaker at the event will be the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Dr Ann Jaron.

Solihull

A memorial service for Holocaust Memorial Day will be taking place at 11:00am on Monday 27 January at the Council’s Civic Suite.

The event will last 45 minutes and be attended by the Mayor of Solihull, as well as representatives of Solihull’s Jewish community, Chief Superintendent Lee Wharmby and West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant Stephen Goldstein CBE.

Hereford

The Auschwitz-Birkenau exhibition will be held at All Saints Church in Hereford from 24-27 January (excluding Sunday), 8am-4pm. The venue is accessible and entry is free of charge.

Memorial candles lit at a remembrance event. Credit: PA Images

East Midlands:

Nottingham

UNISON is joining with Nottingham County Council and the Memorial Day Trust to hold a series of events to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day next Monday (27 January).

The programme of events is to be held at the Assembly Hall.

Derby

The event on Sunday 26th January 6:30pm is called ‘Speaking Across the Divide’ featuring guest speakers Derek Niemann, grandson of an SS Officer, and Noemie Lopian, daughter of two Holocaust survivors.The venue is the Ukrainian Centre, Charnwood Street, Derby

Corby

Residents in Corby are invited to mark Holocaust Memorial Day with Corby Borough Council this Sunday (26th January).

"The Eye As Witness" exhibition launch. Credit: The National Holocaust Centre

The National Holocaust Centre

Nottingham is home to The National Holocaust Centre which is hosting a new nationwide tour "The Eye As Witness".

The UK wide exhibition opens using creative technology to reconsider the past.

Touring national exhibition from 15th January 2020 – 24th March 2021.

This is interactive exhibition exploring the political and moral motives for witnessing and recording the Holocaust and examining different forms of witnessing including photography, texts and testimony.

Click here to find out when the exhibition will be near you.