What is Holocaust Memorial Day?

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place every year on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. It is an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It is an occasion for everyone to come together to learn, remember and reflect.

Every year, a theme is selected for HMD and this year it is ‘Ordinary People’. This theme looks at the Holocaust through the lens of the ordinary people who made up the perpetrators, bystanders and of course victims.

A message from us

The Holocaust was a shocking, saddening, and unprecedented event in our world history. We still have a lot to learn, to deplete prejudice and ensure lessons are learnt. 

Here at City, we will not condone any forms of hate. In fact, we will do better in eliminating hate from our campus. 

We, the Students’ Union officer team, take the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, statement of commitment; 

• We recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning.
• We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation and community’s collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.
• We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocides.
• We value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil.
• We recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people’s lives worth less than others’. Genocide, antisemitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.
• We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocides. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt.
• We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by organising an activity to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, respectful, and democratic society.

At 4pm on Friday 27th January, you can Light the Darkness, by placing a candle in your window, to remember those lost and stand against prejudice. 

Please also join us on Friday 27th January, 12-1pm in the Pavilion for speeches, refreshments and time to reflect and commemorate together.

The Students’ Union is committed to continue working closely with the Jewish society to support our Jewish students and create an inclusive campus. 

City Students’ Union Officer Team 

Local Activities

Thousands of local activities and HMD commemorations take place all over the UK, each year. To see what is taking place near you, search the HMD Map: hmd.org.uk/map

On campus, we will be hosting a commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday 27th January, 12-1pm in the Pavilion. This will involve speeches from students and staff across the University, a moment of silence and refreshments to allow us to reflect and commemorate collectively.

You can find the event here

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) is a registered charity, funded by the UK Government, to promote and support HMD. They provide resources and support for thousands of HMD activities every year in workplaces, youth groups, museums, prisons, schools, colleges and universities, places of worship, and more.

To learn more about HMD and this year’s theme, or to access free resources, visit hmd.org.uk

The UK Ceremony

Each year HMDT organises the UK Commemorative Ceremony for HMD. This is the focal point of HMD in the UK and brings together the civic, faith and political leadership of the country, alongside survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. In more recent years the Ceremony has been streamed online.

To find out more about the next UK ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day, go to hmd.org.uk/ukhmd

The National Moment – Light the Darkness

On 27 January at 4pm, everyone is invited to light a candle and safely place it in their window to:

remember those who were murdered for who they were

stand against prejudice and hatred today

We are all lighting the darkness on #HolocaustMemorialDay.

To contact HMDT, please email enquiries@hmd.org.uk or call 020 7785 7029.

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