27 January marks Holocaust Memorial Day
What is Holocaust Memorial Day?
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place each year on 27 January and it marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
Today we remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
The theme of HMD this year is ‘Ordinary People’.
Genocide is facilitated by ordinary people. Ordinary people turn a blind eye, believe propaganda, join murderous regimes. And those who are persecuted, oppressed and murdered in genocide aren’t persecuted because of crimes they’ve committed – they are persecuted simply because they are ordinary people who belong to a particular group (eg, Roma, Jewish community, Tutsi).
Find out more about this year’s theme.
Can I take part?
Yes – anyone can take part in the day.
Truro Cathedral are holding a memorial service at 1pm today which you can also watch online.
You can also find out more about the Holocaust and the work that is going on to raise awareness and effect change by visiting:
