Standing together to remember Holocaust Memorial Day

CROWDS turned out in Coventry for a poignant service marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

People gathered together in Broadgate square to take part in the event, led by Councillor Abdul Salam Khan and the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Linda Bigham.

The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was “Stand Together” and the ceremony called for reflection on how we can all help prevent terrible atrocities from happening in the future.

Speaker Clive Stone spoke movingly about the time he had met one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors.

Poems were also read by Coventry Young Ambassadors from Good Shepherd and Stoke Primary schools.

Pupils read “The Riddle” by William Heyen and “A Holocaust Prayer” by Philip Hall.

During the ceremony there was also music from Coventry City Council choir and Coventry Music Brass Quartet.

Local school children also took time to remember those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Six Coventry schools came together to create their artistic response to the Holocaust.

Their efforts culminated in a public exhibition at Coventry Cathedral.

The international community also came out to mark their respect.

Just last week, the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke movingly at the World Holocaust Forum on the rise of anti-semitism.

He said: “From the horror of Auschwitz, the world learned lessons once before. The nations of the world built an order of peace, founded upon human rights and international law. We Germans are committed to this order and we want to defend it, with all of you. Because this we know: Peace can be destroyed, and people can be corrupted.”

He also spoke on the fragility of peace, and why we should work hard to protect it.