Holocaust Memorial Day

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. It specifically commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi extermination and concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau by troops of the Soviet Red Army on this day in 1945.

Every year, there is a specific theme. This year that theme is ‘The Legacy of Hope’. Every year, this is also a national memorial event, which this year takes place in London. There are also hundreds of local events taking place throughout the country, including many in the East Midlands and Leicestershire. Information on these can be found on the website of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (http://www.hmd.org.uk/).

The stories of some Holocaust Survivors can be found in an article in today’s Guardian. Click on http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/27/holocaust-memorial-day-memories. They include the memories of Dr Martin Stern who lives in Leicester.

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