Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day - how the Borough's residents can reflect and remember

Holocaust Memorial Day will this year be marked with a poignant event in Stockton Central Library, where the Borough's residents can reflect and remember.

The international event takes place each year on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Fragility of Freedom is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024, reflecting how genocide victims all had their freedom restricted and removed as they began to be persecuted.

Residents and visitors are invited to join the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Jim Beall and other dignitaries at the Holocaust Memorial event in Stockton Central Library from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 25 January.

Peter and Moira Hart will present the Testimony of Kitty Hart-Moxon, a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Peter's mum.

And a 'Lessons from Auschwitz' ambassador and student from Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College will reflect on their recent visit to Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.

At the end of the evening, which will be hosted by the Mayor, a remembrance candle will be lit.

The event, which has been organised with support from Shabana Marshall, Educator for the Holocaust Education Trust, is free but ticketed and places are limited. Tickets are available at Book a library event.

Visitors will be able to add a message in a book of reflection at Stockton Central, Ingleby, Yarm, Thornaby Central, Norton and Billingham libraries from Monday January 22.

Stockton-on-Tees' memorial lighting will also bathe Newport Bridge, Stockton Town Centre and Stockton's riverside in purple on the evening of Saturday 27 January to mark this important global day of reflection.

Schools across the Borough will also be marking the day with special events for pupils.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "Marking World Holocaust Day annually is incredibly important, not least in helping educate younger generations to ensure these atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated.

"I would encourage everyone to come along to the memorial event at Stockton Central Library where you can learn more about the Holocaust, reflect, and honour the lives and experiences of people affected by the Holocaust and genocide."

At 8pm on Holocaust Memorial Day itself households across the country are being encouraged to safely light candles in their windows to remember those lost, and to stand against prejudice and hatred today.