The Loughborough community will gather later this month for a solemn ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The annual service, organised by the Loughborough Council of Faiths, is scheduled to take place at the bandstand in Queen's Park.
Event Details and Community Participation
The commemoration will begin at 12.30pm on Tuesday, January 27. The Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor David Northage, will lead the proceedings by reading a statement of commitment. This statement underscores the vital need to remember past atrocities and to educate future generations about their horrors.
Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the service and participate in a poignant act of remembrance. Attendees will have the opportunity to lay a pebble on a dedicated commemoration stone as a mark of respect for the millions who lost their lives.
The Significance of the Day and This Year's Theme
Holocaust Memorial Day is observed internationally to remember the six million Jewish victims murdered during the Holocaust. It also honours the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution from 1933 to 1945 and in subsequent genocides around the world.
Mayor David Northage commented on the day's importance, stating: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and prejudice, and an opportunity to remember those who have been killed in genocides throughout the world."
He highlighted the relevance of the 2026 theme, 'Bridging Generations'. This theme reinforces that the duty to remember and learn is not solely for survivors but must be carried forward by everyone in society. The Mayor added that by uniting as a community, we honour the victims and pledge to build a future without discrimination or intolerance.
A National Moment of Reflection
This local event mirrors commemorations happening across the United Kingdom, where communities will pledge not to take freedom for granted. People will also consider practical actions they can take to protect and strengthen freedoms globally.
Each year, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust coordinates a national UK Commemorative Ceremony on January 27. Further information about the national event and the 'Bridging Generations' theme can be found on the official Holocaust Memorial Day website. Details for the UK ceremony will be published at https://hmd.org.uk/hmd-theme-2026/ once confirmed.
