Lord Mayor to lead remembrance tributes.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham will lead the city’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations at the Council House on Sunday, January 22nd.
Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi persecutions, as well as other genocides around the world.
Taking place in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House, the theme for this year’s event is ‘How can life go on?’, which asks people to think about what happens after genocide and other atrocities.
The ceremony, which will be hosted by Birmingham City Council’s chief executive Mark Rogers, starts at 2pm. However, doors will open at 1pm for members of the public to view paintings by Robert McNeill and light a candle of remembrance. Admission is free.
The programme will feature testimonies from survivors along with films, prayers and music – including performances from the Choir With No Name, Young Poet Laureate Nyanda Foday, and pupils from King Edward’s Handsworth and King Edward’s Five Ways grammar schools.
Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice said: “Holocaust Memorial Day provides a significant opportunity for us all to learn lessons from the past and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future for everyone.
“On Sunday, I will light a candle for the victims of atrocities and genocides around the world, as well as those who are still sadly losing their lives today through war, conflict and hate crime. I hope as many people as possible will join me in this act of remembrance.”
