The Folkestone community will come together for a solemn service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day this Tuesday, the 27th of January. This internationally recognised day honours the memory of the millions murdered during the Holocaust, those persecuted by the Nazis, and the victims of subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance
The event will be held at the Garden of Remembrance on Sandgate Road. The service will be led by the mayor's chaplain, Reverend Chris Johnson. Attendees will include the Mayor of Folkestone, Cllr Lucy McGirr, town councillors, local dignitaries, and students from area schools and colleges.
A Call to Bridge Generations
Mayor Lucy McGirr emphasised the importance of continued remembrance as time passes. "As the years pass, we’re growing more distant in time from the Holocaust and from other, more recent genocides," she stated. "That distance brings a risk: that memory fades, that the reality becomes blurred, abstract or even questioned."
This year's theme, set by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, is 'Bridging Generations'. It underscores the vital role younger people play in preserving and carrying forward the memory of these atrocities. "It is a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors," McGirr added. "It lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us."
From Memory to Action
The theme serves as a powerful call to action, urging everyone to actively engage with history. By listening and learning, the community builds a bridge between the past and a hopeful future. This engagement empowers people to:
- Speak up against Holocaust denial and distortion.
- Challenge prejudice wherever it is found.
- Encourage others to learn about the Holocaust and modern genocides.
Local students have contributed to this effort by conducting their own research and will participate actively in the commemorations. The service is scheduled to commence at 11am, and all members of the local community are warmly invited to attend.
For further information, contact Folkestone Town Council offices on 01303 257946 or email georgina.wilson@folkestone-tc.gov.uk.
