‘Be the light that ensures the darkness can never return’
PRINCE Charles has urged new generations to keep the memory of the genocide of Europe’s Jews alive in a Holocaust Memorial Day message.
The heir to the throne, reflecting on the passing of the generation that witnessed Hitler’s crimes, recorded a message for a virtual ceremony taking place tonight.
Premier League footballers from 14 clubs, including Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, will call on people to join a remembrance moment.
Iconic landmarks such as Wembley stadium, Parliament, the London Eye, Cardiff Castle, the Tyne bridge and Blackpool Tower are to light up in purple. Charles, who is patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: “The last generation of witnesses is tragically passing from this world, so the task of bearing witness falls to us.
“That is why The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, of which I am so proud to be patron, has this year chosen the theme – Be the Light in the Darkness.
“This is not a task for one time only. Nor is it a task for one generation, or one person.
“It is for all people, all generations and all time.
“This is our time when we can, each in our own way, be the light that ensures the darkness can never return.” The Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have made contributions.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other faith leaders are also involved.
The internet broadcast features genocide survivors from Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It also highlights the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China and Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said survivors of the Nazi Holocaust were the perfect inspiration during the pandemic. She said: “The survivors’ strength and resilience gives us hope and positivity.
“There has been real distress and pain in this pandemic.
“But the survivors I spoke to – many whom are shielding – are the epitome of strength and are getting on with it.
“Bearing in mind what they have experienced and suffered, they give words of wisdom to just keep going, we are going to get out of this. I find that pretty inspiring from 90-year-old survivors who could easily let this get on top of them. They are remarkable.”
● Watch the ceremony online from 7pm at hmd.org.uk