Public invited to ‘stand together’ to mark the Holocaust

Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with Bridgend College is inviting residents to attend a free event to commemorate the victims and honour the survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The event, which will take place on Tuesday 21 January, 10.30am at the Sony Theatre, Bridgend College will explore the theme for 2020, which is ‘Stand Together’. Exploring how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups. The theme aims to encourage attendees to stand together with their friends, colleagues and neighbours to speak out against oppression.

Bridgend County Borough Council will welcome special guest, Dieudonne Ganza Gahizi, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Ganza, a filmmaker and the founder of ‘Best Hope Rwanda’, a charity for genocide survivors, will speak about his personal experiences of genocide and the impact of losing more than 50 members of his family.

Despite what has happened to him, Dieudonne Gahizi-Ganza delivers a message of peace, hope and forgiveness. He now focuses his time on offering counselling to other victims and supporting people affected by HIV/Aids and those who often face stigma, discrimination and abandonment.

In line with tradition, the seven statements of commitment will be read out during the event by key members of the public, plus a candle of remembrance will be lit by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, Councillor Stuart Baldwin.

The event also features music and an act of reflection, with Bridgend College students compering the ceremony and giving a moving performance to close the event.

Up to 100 spaces are available for members of the public to attend the event, but places must be pre-booked on a first come, first serve basis by emailing marketing@bridgend.gov.uk by the deadline of Monday 20 January 2020.

Here in Bridgend County Borough, we hold a Holocaust Memorial Day event every year to remember the victims, who tragically lost their lives in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and honour those who survived.

We are very grateful to Dieudonne Gahizi-Ganza, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, for giving up his time to come to Bridgend County Borough to share his life story with us.

Bridgend County Borough Council, Councillor Huw David

Parking for attendees is very limited at the venue, and should be booked in advance. Alternative parking is available in the town centre or nearby car parks. Those with accessibility issues should provide this information when booking on to the event so a car parking space can be allocated.