UK marks Holocaust Memorial Day
The UK observed Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. “The Holocaust” refers to the attempt by the Nazis to kill all Jewish people in Europe during the Second World War (1939–1945). The Nazis were an extreme political group who ruled Germany at the time. Holocaust Memorial Day remembers the many millions of people who were harmed or killed. It also remembers the victims of genocides that have taken place since, in places including Bosnia, Cambodia and Rwanda. Genocide is an attempt to destroy a particular group of people.
Landmarks including the London Eye, St George’s Hall in Liverpool and the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff were lit up in purple. In York Minster cathedral, 600 candles were lit in the shape of the Star of David, a Jewish symbol. This was to commemorate the six million Jewish people who were killed by the Nazis. Many died in concentration camps, and 27 January 1945 was the day that surviving prisoners were set free from Auschwitz, the largest camp.
As well as Jewish people, millions of others were killed by the Nazis and are remembered on Holocaust Memorial Day. This includes people from other ethnic minorities, as well as gay people, people with disabilities and captured soldiers.
Every year, the day is given a theme. This year it was The Fragility of Freedom, and it encouraged people to be grateful for their freedom and to protect it. King Charles issued a message, saying the day was an important moment for people to “come together and recommit to building a society free from antisemitism, persecution and hatred.” Antisemitism is racism towards Jewish people. The King and Queen Camilla lit candles at Sandringham House, to remember those who died. Organisations, schools and libraries around the UK marked Holocaust Memorial Day. At St Mungo’s Museum in Glasgow, Scotland, secondary school pupils delivered a workshop with primary school pupils to teach them about the Holocaust. “It’s been really heartfelt to learn about it,” said one of the pupils, adding,
“It really does impact you to think about how lucky you are.”