North Tyneside Council will host its annual Holocaust Memorial Day service on Friday 26 January.
The service will take place in the council chamber on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27, which marks the 1945 liberation of the largest of the Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The poignant event gives people the chance to join others from around the world in remembrance of the six million victims of the Holocaust, and those affected by other global genocides.
Rabbi Aaron Lipsey will direct the ceremony and light a candle at the council’s Holocaust Memorial Plaque. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Vivien Sieber, author of 'Kino and Kinder’, and there will be performances and readings from local school children.
From Monday, St Mary’s Lighthouse will be illuminated by purple light as a sign of remembrance and solidarity.
Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day prompts us all to reflect on a dark chapter in world history. The aftermath of these events raises challenging questions and reminds us to stand up for human rights and fight against oppression.
“HMD 2024 focuses on the ‘fragility of freedom’ and the challenges faced by survivors. We honour those who endured, including communities, and the lives destroyed by the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
“The day allows us to learn from the past, commit to the future, and strive for a more tolerant society. Thanks to all who contribute to keeping these stories alive.”
For more details on this event and other national programs, visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website at www.hmd.org.uk.