6 ways to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

Image: Zoran Kokanovic

27 January is the date designated by the UN as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK. It is a day for remembering the millions of people murdered under Nazi Persecution and the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Commemorating these events is important so that, by deepening our understanding of the past, we are better able to shape a safer, more inclusive and brighter present and future. Every year there are a vast number of events and memorials held on 27 January. This year is a little different, so we have put together the following suggestions of how you can take a moment to remember:

LEARN about Holocaust Memorial Day and what happened during the Holocaust 

Holocaust Memorial Day: Victims to be remembered with light

What is Holocaust Memorial day?

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

LIGHT a candle

The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 is “Be the light in the darkness.” People all over the UK will light a candle and leave it by their windows at 8pm this evening to remember those who lost their lives and as a symbol of learning and hope.

ATTEND a virtual event

The UK’s Holocaust Memorial Day Trust are streaming the country’s central ceremony from 7-8pm which will include a welcome from Prince Charles, the airing of educational films, and music and poetry performed by a variety of artists. Other guests include Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford. Survivor testimony will be given by Renee Bornstein, Rachel Levy BEM and Ernest Simon BEM.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has also curated a list of all of the activities happening across the country so that you can choose one either more local or personal to you.

We thought our FLO readers might be interested in a virtual book launch held by The Institute of Art & Law. The second edition of Norman Palmer’s Museums and the Holocaust will be launched by the institute at 5pm this evening. The book considers how governments and museums have approached the claims arising from the looting and deprivation which took place during the Holocaust. The launch evening will be presented by Judge Tony Baumgartner, Judge of the Circuit Court of England and Wales and three of the book’s authors will speak including Dr Jacques Schuhmacher who is a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Sign up here. 

WATCH The Windermere Children on BBC Four at 9pm

The Windermere Children tells the true story of the UK’s efforts to foster and rehabilitate over 700 child survivors of the Holocaust. It is a moving dramatisation of the events which took place at converted hostels by Lake Windermere. Written by Bafta-nominated screenwriter Simon Block and starring Thomas Kretschmann, Romola Garai, Tim McInnerny and Iain Glen, the mini-film is not shy in its depiction of the children’s trauma but it is also underpinned with human kindness and an air of hope.

Also on iPlayer: Confronting Holocaust Denial with David Baddiel and My Family, The Holocaust and Me starring Robert Rinder.

READ a book which tackles genocide

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has put together a helpful Book Club brochure which includes within it, recommendations of books which are set during the Holocaust and the genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

FLO Recommended Reads: The Book Thief (Marcus Zusak); When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (Judith Kerr);  First They Killed My Father (Loung Ung); Baking Cakes in Kigali (Gaile Parkin); Tears of the Desert (Helma Bashir with Damien Lewis).

ACT against  today’s genocides

Despite the lessons learned by the monstrosities of the Holocaust, genocide is happening in the world today.

Sign this open letter to the UN concerning the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China.

Support the children of Rohingya fleeing violence.

Join the Darfur Women Action Group to help end the silence over the genocide and gender-based violence in Darfur.

Words by Lucy Firestone