I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging to honour Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27th. This year is particularly significant as we mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and death camp where so many lives were tragically lost.
Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of others persecuted by the Nazis, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and political opponents.
As survivors grow older, this may be one of the last major anniversaries where we can hear their powerful first-hand testimonies. Their stories are a vital reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred and the importance of standing against antisemitism and prejudice in all its forms.
This year’s theme, “For a Better Future,” calls on all of us to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and commit to building a world free from hatred. Across the UK, schools, community groups, and faith organisations will come together to remember and reflect.
Let us ensure that the memory of the Holocaust is not forgotten and work to create a future where such atrocities are never repeated.
