Public invited to Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Southsea
Residents are being invited to pay their respects at a Holocaust Memorial Day event taking place next week.
On January 27 at 11.45am, local civic and faith leaders will join members of the public outside the D-Day Museum to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is an international day of remembrance for the six million Jews murdered under Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945. It also commemorates those killed in subsequent genocides, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Other victims of the Holocaust included Soviet prisoners of war, Slavic people, Black people, gay men, people with disabilities, communists and trade unionists.
January 27 marks the date in 1945 when the Red Army liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp. Since then, the day has been observed annually to bring communities together to honour the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past.
This year’s Portsmouth ceremony will bring together civic leaders, faith representatives, academics and community members for readings, reflections and prayers.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the profound human cost of hatred, intolerance and prejudice.
“By coming together as a community, we honour those who were lost and strengthen our resolve to stand against discrimination wherever it appears. I encourage residents to join us for this important moment of reflection.”
The event will take place near the flagpole outside the museum on Clarence Esplanade and will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE, who will raise the Holocaust Memorial Day flag before delivering a welcome address.
The programme will include a speech from the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, the Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth, followed by readings from Dr Christine Berberich of the University of Portsmouth and Tony Cooper, President of the Portsmouth and Southsea Hebrew Congregation.
A memorial prayer and the Kaddish will be led by Rev. Burns, Minister of the Portsmouth and Southsea Hebrew Congregation, before the sounding of the shofar by Tony Cooper.