Leicester Holocaust Memorial Day to Honour Victims of Global Genocides
This year's Holocaust Memorial Day event in Leicester will serve as a solemn occasion to remember all those who have lost their lives in genocides across the world. The annual commemoration, scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, will pay tribute to the millions murdered during the Holocaust, alongside victims of subsequent atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
An Evening of Reflection and Commemoration
The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Teresa Aldred, will join other local dignitaries at De Montfort University for an evening dedicated to reflection and remembrance. The event aims to foster a collective commitment to learning from history and preventing future atrocities through education and awareness.
Programme Highlights and Participatory Elements
The programme will feature several poignant elements designed to engage attendees and honour the memory of those lost. Students from Beauchamp College will share their personal experiences from visiting Auschwitz, offering a powerful, first-hand perspective on the Holocaust's enduring impact.
Musical contributions will be provided by Caroline Salinger, adding a reflective tone to the proceedings. Professor Aubrey Newman, former director of the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, will deliver an address centred on this year's theme, 'Bridging Generations'.
Additionally, the winning entries from the Paul Winstone Memorial Competition, a schools' essay-writing contest, will be read aloud, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in remembering and understanding historical tragedies.
Official Statements on Remembrance and Responsibility
Lord Mayor Councillor Teresa Aldred emphasised the significance of the day, stating: "Holocaust Memorial Day is our opportunity to remember the millions of lives lost in genocides and atrocities across the world, including whole communities, targeted simply for being who they were."
She further added: "It also allows us to acknowledge that, even today, people continue to suffer the devastating consequences of hatred and extreme violence and it is our responsibility to remember, educate, and help create a future where these atrocities never happen again."
Event Logistics and Accessibility
The event will be held in the Hugh Aston Building (building 22) at De Montfort University, located at The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY. It will commence at 7pm, and members of the public are warmly invited to attend this important community gathering.
Parking is available in the university's staff and visitor car park (building 38) at a cost of £2 per vehicle, ensuring convenient access for all attendees wishing to participate in this act of collective remembrance and education.
