Liverpool will observe Holocaust Memorial Day with a poignant and reflective service at the city's historic Town Hall, led by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Barbara Murray. This year's commemoration marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, while also honouring the memory of all victims of the Holocaust and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur.
A Solemn Gathering for Invited Guests
The service, which is for invited guests only, will be a profound act of collective remembrance. It will feature prayers led by Rabbi Natan Fagleman of the Allerton Hebrew Congregation, alongside an Act of Commitment delivered by representatives from various other faith communities. This interfaith element underscores the universal importance of the day and the shared responsibility to remember.
Keynote Address and Thematic Focus
The guest speaker for the occasion is Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. The service is structured around this year's powerful theme, 'Bridging Generations', which encourages society to learn from the darkest chapters of history and actively carry those lessons into the future to build a more hopeful tomorrow.
Cultural Contributions and Youth Engagement
The programme will include a musical performance by students from King David High and Junior School. A poem will be read by members of the Liverpool Literacy Cycle and the poet John Gorman. Furthermore, students from Alsop High School and Archbishop Blanch Church of England High School will deliver personal reflections on the 'Bridging Generations' theme, highlighting the vital role of young people in sustaining memory.
Civic Illuminations as a Symbol of Remembrance
In a visible symbol of the city's commitment to remembrance, three of Liverpool's most iconic civic buildings – Liverpool Town Hall, the Cunard Building, and St George's Hall – will be illuminated in purple on both the evening of the service and the following evening. This striking display serves as a public beacon of reflection and solidarity.
Voices of Leadership and Community
Lord Mayor Cllr Barbara Murray emphasised the enduring impact of the Holocaust, stating: "Today, it is no less harrowing for us even with the passage of time and in truth it never will be. We can't help but be shocked by the incredulity of what took place." She elaborated on the theme, noting it as "a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with the survivors" and that it lives on through subsequent generations, building a bridge "between memory and action, between history and hope."
Jeremy Wolfson, chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day planning group in Liverpool, stated the day provides "an opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and raise awareness... to try and ensure that the attitudes which led to them are not repeated."
Guest speaker Phil Rosenberg issued a powerful call to action, remarking: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of where hatred can lead when it goes unchallenged... 'Never Again' must be more than words; it must be a commitment we uphold every day."
