On Friday 27 January, Watford joined communities around the world to come together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘ordinary people’. It has been chosen to prompt everyone to consider how ordinary people, can play a bigger part than they might imagine in challenging prejudices.
The day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and remembers all of those who were killed, not only then, but in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Dafur. The day is used to reflect and learn lessons of the past, recognising that genocide does not take place on its own.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor and Chairman Cllr Amanda Grimston, along with representatives from the Watford & District Synagogue laid a wreath at the Anne Frank Memorial tree, outside Watford Library to mark this important anniversary.
In the evening, as part of the ‘Light the darkness’ national moment, Watford Museum will be illuminated in the colour purple, joining other iconic landmarks across the UK as an act of solidarity for Holocaust Memorial Day.
Watford has a significant connection to the holocaust because of its role in the ‘Kindertransport’ mission and the efforts of Mrs Kathleen Freeman OBE who willingly offered her home ‘The Welcome House’ for refugee children. Mrs Freeman OBE was recognised in the council’s centenary year as one of the 100 people who have made Watford.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “Holocaust Memorial Day also allows us to remember those who have lost their lives because of hatred and intolerance and honour their memory. It provides us an opportunity to take time to reflect and learn lessons from our past and the atrocities faced by persecuted communities during the holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year’s theme of ‘ordinary people’ makes it clear that we all have a responsibility to stand up for victims of prejudice.”
Chairman Cllr Amanda Grimston said “We hope by lighting the Museum purple as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives, it also serves as a beacon of hope for individuals from all different faith groups and communities. Through this, we pledge to learn from the past to create a better future.”
Click here for more information about Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 - 'Ordinary People' Theme
- The theme this year, though, highlights the ordinary people who let genocide happen, the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide, and the ordinary people who were persecuted.
- It will also prompt us to consider how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can perhaps play a bigger part than we might imagine in challenging prejudice today.
