Liverpool joins together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Schools and local communities throughout Liverpool have joined together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day with a series of events including an exhibition, wreath laying and a special service.

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is “How can life go on?” and asks people to think about what happens after genocide and our own responsibilities in the wake of such a crime.

Today (Friday 27 January) the Lord Mayor joined faith leaders at two special services to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial stone in St John’s Gardens in memory of all the victims of persecution, before a special service took place at Liverpool town hall which was attended by civic and faith representatives as well as invited members of the local community.

Students from Florence Melly Community Primary School; Pinehurst Primary School; Alsop High School; Broughton Hall Catholic High School and Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College gave a presentation of life stories which addressed the question ‘How can life go on?’, while King David High School’s Choir sang at the service.

At the service Rabbi Dr Martin Van den Bergh, Childwall Hebrew Congregation joined the Lord Mayor in lighting a memorial candle.

The guest speaker, Marie van der Zyl, vice president of the board of deputies of British Jews, said: “I am very pleased to be in Liverpool to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. It is so important that we not only remember the holocaust, but strive to learn lessons from those dark days.

“With our world currently a divided and dangerous place, this has never been more crucial.”

Earlier this week, a three-day exhibition took place at the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall to raise awareness of the genocide during World War Two, and was opened by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Roz Gladden, on Wednesday 25 January.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Roz Gladden, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is not only a time to remember those millions who died in the holocaust and subsequent genocides but is also a call to action for the present.

“We all have a responsibility over related issues such as hate crime and prejudice to ensure they have no place in our society.

“The events we are putting on will be moving and poignant and encourage us all to help to build a safer future for ourselves and future generations.”