Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham took part in a community commemoration ceremony on January 27, to honour Holocaust Memorial Day.
This year marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and three decades since the genocide in Bosnia.
It is also the seventh year of Greater Manchester’s Holocaust Memorial Day service, a testament to the region’s ongoing efforts to honour historical tragedies and strengthen community solidarity.
This year’s theme, “For a Better Future” encouraged learning from diverse experiences.
The event featured speeches from Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, MBE, and Marzia Babakarkhail.
The service featured testimonies from survivors and advocates, including those who have experienced persecution and displacement.
Representatives from various faiths and community groups also participated in a candle-lighting ceremony to honour the victims of past atrocities.
Mayor Andy Burnham spoke about the importance of remembrance and collective action:
“Today, we come together not only to remember the victims of the Holocaust and conflict but also to reaffirm our commitment to building a future free from hatred and prejudice. We honour their memory by standing united against all forms of discrimination and working towards a better, more inclusive society.”
Students at the University of Manchester hosted a stall in the Students’ Union to mark the 80th anniversary.
The stall provided an opportunity to learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day, speak with the university’s Jewish chaplain, light a candle in remembrance of Holocaust victims, and commit to actions in their memory.
At 8pm, people across the nation came together to light a candle and put it safely in their windows. This was to remember those killed for their identity and to stand against prejudice and hatred across the world.
