Bury joins the legacy of hope

Date published: 20 January 2010

A special service will be held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 at Radcliffe Civic Suite.

The event will mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and will be attended by faith leaders, community representatives, school pupils and invited members of the public.

This year’s theme is The Legacy of Hope, which offers an opportunity to listen to the voices from the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. The aim is also to help ensure that a safer, inclusive society, where the differences between people are respected, becomes a reality today and in the future.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Sheila Magnall, said: “We are looking forward to our local community coming together to remember victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution and those whose lives have been affected by exclusion and hatred in subsequent genocides.

“We pledge to become part of the Legacy of Hope by listening to the hopes of Holocaust survivors, and using their legacy to inspire us to work in our community for a safer, better future.”

The first Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK took place in 2001. The event remembers the six million Jews exterminated in the Second World War, but also other groups persecuted by the Nazi regime and those lost in subsequent genocides such as in Bosnia, Darfur, Cambodia and Rwanda.

Entrance to the January 27 service in Radcliffe is by ticket only.

Some 50 young people from secondary schools and colleges will be contributing to the service through, music, dance, song, art work and readings.

Schools will also be marking the Memorial Day with special assemblies and classroom activities to enable pupils to understand the tragic circumstances of the holocaust and the lessons for the future.

The Met Arts Centre will be including film in their programme for members of the public. For further information please contact 0161 761 2216.

For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day, visit the website www.hmd.org.uk