Residents from all faiths and backgrounds are asked to join Cornwall Council in marking this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day today, January 27.
The yearly event remembers the millions murdered under Nazi persecution, and other genocides that have followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s theme for this year is ‘Be the light in the darkness’ and people across the country are encouraged to put a candle in their window at 8pm to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness.
Cornwall Council leader Julian German said: “Cornwall Council is proud to support Holocaust Memorial Day. We must ensure that we never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and we must learn from this terrible history to ensure that this is never allowed to happen again. In our own communities we continue to witness dreadful acts of violence, prejudice and hatred which only remind us of the need to keep working to tackle this behaviour.
“Cornwall is home to a wide range of people from different faiths and backgrounds and this makes our culture strong, vibrant and exciting. We will continue to work for equality, fairness, kindness and safety for all in Cornwall. Our Jewish residents are an integral part of our community and we stand side by side with them to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.”
Cllr Tim Dwelly, cabinet member for culture, economy and planning said: “I’m very happy that Cornwall Council recognises the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definitions of anti-Semitism which I know will bring comfort to many who have been on the receiving end of anti-Semitic abuse.“
Reflecting on his own heritage, he added: “I’m Cornish, and I’m also Jewish. My mother’s mother was Jewish and she was lucky to get out of Germany in the 1930’s and she drove ambulances in the blitz in London. So my family background means a lot to me in terms of the Holocaust because if the Holocaust had come to this country, I wouldn’t be here talking to you today.”
Chairman of Kehillat Kernow, Jeremy Jacobson said: “Recognising Holocaust Memorial Day only gets more important as the years go by. On Sunday we saw over 150 people come together, from different organisations, groups and faiths, to remember and honour those who lost their lives, and those that survived and had to rebuild their lives following the Nazi regime.
“As we remember, we also strengthen our resolve to stand up against other more recent genocides and current injustices, where even today, groups of people, from different races and faiths, are oppressed and their freedoms limited or taken away from them completely. They are dehumanised, as the Jews were, in order to excuse their persecution in the interests of a cynical, monolithic and monopolising political system. This cannot continue to happen and we must stand up to prejudice and abuse.”
Truro Cathedral are holding their own candle lighting ceremony online at 1pm on 27 January and can be watched through their website Truro Cathedral - Holocaust Memorial Day – Be a light in the darkness
You can find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day by visiting the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website https://www.hmd.org.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel