Medway’s communities will come together virtually this year to commemorate the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
Memorial services are being held across the country today, Thursday, 27 January, Holocaust Memorial Day, to honour those who were affected by the Holocaust.
Each year the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) suggests a theme for services and this year they have chosen ‘One Day’. The theme encourages residents to put aside one day to come together to remember and learn about the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, in the hope that there may be One Day in the future with no genocide.
Since 2004, our commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day has been organised by us, Chatham Memorial Synagogue, Rochester Cathedral and the Medway Inter-Faith Action Forum. They have since been joined by Medway Youth Council and Kent Police. The six organisations are committed to ensuring that the Holocaust and other human atrocities are never forgotten.
Our Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration is being held online, featuring presentations, readings and performances from all six organisations and other local parties including the Mayor of Medway and local schools.
As part of Medway’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations, a powerful art installation made by local students with disabilities, will be installed at the Chatham Memorial Synagogue, the Ship Inn, Intra Arts, Naked Products Co and Chatham Library. The exhibition, One Day, made up of information panels, has been created to bring awareness to disabilities and the struggles throughout history, including during the Holocaust. One Day will be available to view until Monday, 28 February.
Residents will be able to watch the online service from Thursday, 27 January.
Find out more information about Medway’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations.