The Royal Borough of Greenwich will remember the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in an online event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day which will be broadcast at 11am on Wednesday 27 January. 

The event will include several music and song performances as well as recorded memories from some of the ‘hidden children’ caught up in the horrors of the Second World War.

Mayor of Royal Greenwich, Cllr Linda Bird said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important time for reflection. The unforgiveable slaughter of six million human beings over 75 years ago forms a dark part of our history and demonstrates the horrors brought about by intolerance between cultures and communities. In Royal Greenwich, we celebrate our differences and work towards harmony and understanding. We strive to teach future generations about our past to prevent such horrors from ever occurring again. I hope everyone who can, will join our virtual commemorative event and stand together against hate and prejudice of all kind.”  

Holocaust Memorial Day is marked each year on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. In addition to remembering the millions of victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity to remember the victims of the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. 

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 is ‘Be the light in the darkness’, which encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide. 

The broadcast will be available to watch on the Council's Facebook and YouTube channels from 11am on 27 January. 

Watch on Facebook

Watch on Youtube 

See full event details

The statement of commitment for Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day was created on 27 January 2000, when representatives from 46 governments around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance and research. At the end of this meeting, all attendees signed a declaration committing to preserving the memory of those who have been murdered in the Holocaust. The statement of commitment for Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK is a simplified version of the Stockholm Declaration, and includes a commitment to remember all victims of Nazi persecution, and victims of all genocides.

• We recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning.

• We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation’s collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.

• We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocides.

• We value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil.

• We recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people’s lives worth less than others. Genocide, anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.

• We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocides. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt.

• We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by holding an annual UK Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, respectful, and democratic society.