Council mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2022

Bridgend County Borough Council will mark this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day by encouraging residents to join the Mayor in lighting a memorial candle at home.

Mayor John Spanswick will light the candle on January 27 as the nation pauses to pay tribute to those persecuted and killed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides across the world.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the UK ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 will be streamed online on Thursday 27 January at 7pm.

At 8pm, households across the county borough are encouraged to join the Mayor and the rest of the UK in lighting a candle and safely placing it in your window to remember those who were murdered for who they were and to also stand against prejudice and hatred today.

This year’s theme is ‘One Day’ which the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust say can be interpreted in a variety of ways including coming together to learn about the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in the hope that there may be one day in the future with no genocide. More information can be found on the Trust’s website.

Historically, we have held a public event to raise awareness of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot gather in person this year.

We will still be marking the day by lighting a memorial candle which will be available to view on our various social media channels. It’s important for us all to reflect, remember and learn from the past and that is why we in Bridgend County Borough commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day each year.

Sadly, anti-Semitism, hatred and genocide has not been confined to the history books but still takes place around the world. We urge all members of our communities to join together virtually, to honour both the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, and ask ourselves what we can do collectively, to be the light in the darkness for current and future generations.

Council Leader Huw David

Holocaust Memorial Day was established on 27 January 2000, when representatives from 46 countries around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance, and research. At the end of this meeting, all attendees signed a declaration committing to preserving the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust.

Residents are also encouraged to read the Seven Statements of Commitment for Holocaust Memorial Day:

1. We recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning.
2. We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation's collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.
3. We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocide.
4. We value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil.
5. We recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people's lives worth less than others'. Genocide, antisemitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.
6. We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocide. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt.
7. We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by holding an annual Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, tolerant, and democratic society.

To register for the UK Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony, please visit: https://www.hmd.org.uk/take-part-in-holocaust-memorial-day/ukhmd/