Devon commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day

Students take part in a national webcast with a Holocaust survivor

Ceremonies are taking place around Devon and the world this weekend to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. 

It is held each year on the 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides.

Exeter Cathedral is set to host events on Sunday, 28 January, which include an opening ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Chairman of Devon County Council, Dean of Exeter Cathedral, Imam of Exeter Mosque, President of Exeter Synagogue, and other faith leaders, as well as student ambassadors and primary school choirs.

The Mayor of Torbay, Councillor Mark Spacagna, attended the Holocaust Memorial Service at Oldway Memorial Gardens on Friday 26 January. The Torquay and Plymouth seafront lights have been turned purple to mark the day.

Elsewhere, students at West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust, have taken part in activities designed to have them learn more and reflect on the Holocaust. 27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and the theme of this year’s HMD is the fragility of freedom.

Every student there has attended an assembly on the significance of the Holocaust and genocide based on resources and research from the Holocaust Education Trust. They also watched testimonies from survivors from not only the Holocaust but other genocides such as Rwanda and Cambodia.

A group of students also engaged in a live nationwide webcast organised by the Holocaust Education Trust and hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky OBE.  Holocaust survivor Hedi Argent MBE delivered a deeply profound testimony of her experiences under Nazi persecution in the late 1930s- students could ask Hedi questions through a live web feed.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe school said:

“I think it’s really important for young people to understand the history of the holocaust and to learn about more modern genocides.  Though these are difficult topics, it is right that we learn about them and take the time to hear the stories of those who survived these horrors.  There are not that many years left that children will be able to hear directly from a Holocaust survivor, so I am very grateful to Hedi Argent and the Holocaust Education Trust for making it possible for students to ask her questions.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:
 
“Holocaust Memorial Day is such a powerful day of reflection and I am glad to hear that students at West Exe have been engaging in several topical and thought-provoking activities in the run-up to it.