Evans hears of Holocaust horrors at HMD launch
GENOCIDE survivor John Hajdu spoke at the launch event for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2017, attended by East Runcorn MP Graham Evans.
Mr Hajdu spoke about his experience of being forced to live in a Budapest ghetto at the age of seven and managing to survive, only to later flee the subsequent Communist regime in Hungary in 1956.
He recalled his long journey as a refugee with his mother to settle in Great Britain.
Neither spoke English, but with determination, John made the country home and while sharing his experiences, he encouraged MPs and invited guests to mark the theme of HMD 2017.
HMD is marked each year on January 27 – the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death and concentration camp.
It provides an opportunity to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and later atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur and apply them in the present day to create a safer, better future.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) promotes and supports HMD activities in the UK.
The event’s theme for HMD 2017 is ‘How can life go on?’.
Mr Evans said: “John’s story is a reminder of the importance of marking Holocaust Memorial Day – a day where we remember the millions who were affected by the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
“I want to encourage people in Weaver Vale to mark HMD on 27 January 2017.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, who is the chief executive of the HMDT, said: “We were delighted that Graham showed his support for Holocaust Memorial Day.
“We hope that many more people in Weaver Vale will use the free resources available through our website to organise activities for next year’s HMD – adding to the record 5,590 activities which took place for HMD 2016.”