Light the darkness to honour Holocaust Memorial Day 2023

• Tamworth to honour Holocaust Memorial Day by lighting a candle • Tamworth Castle will light-up purple from 4pm • Mayor of Tamworth will lay wreath outside St Editha’s Church

Tamworth Borough Council is inviting residents to honour Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday, January 27, by lighting a candle to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Holocaust Memorial Day remembers all aspects of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. In remembrance of those who were killed, Tamworth Borough Council will light the castle purple from 4pm on January 27, to Light the Darkness in memory victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, in tribute to the survivors and to take a stand against prejudice, discrimination and hatred today.

Residents are encouraged to join the remembrance by placing a lit candle in their window to Light the Darkness and join the online conversation, helping spread messages of tolerance and understanding. People are also encouraged to share a photo of their candle on social media using the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness.

Mayor of Tamworth. Councillor Moira Greatorex will be placing a wreath in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, at the memorial site outside St Editha’s Church on January 27. This will take place at 3.30pm.

The Mayor said: “In a world scarred by genocide, I feel it is important to support the Holocaust Memorial Day and as a town encourage remembrance of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

“We also remember the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

“We must never forget how the Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable, and we cannot be complacent. Even in the UK, prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all.

“This year our town will join the thousands of people across the UK that come together to bear witness for those who endured genocide and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has a range of resources to help people get involved in commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day online. Activities include book clubs, poetry writing and online ceremonies as well as sharing messages on social media to help people learn more about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and more recent genocides. 

If you would like to find out more about taking part in Holocaust Memorial Day online visit www.hmd.org.uk/marking-holocaust-memorial-day-online.