Events to commemorate those lost to genocide and persecution

Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside those killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The annual day of remembrance is held on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Despite the region being under lockdown due to coronavirus restrictions, events have still been planned by councils to mark the day.

Walsall Council and Walsall for All are inviting residents in the borough to take part in a commemorative event by lighting a candle in the windows of their homes at 8pm.

Residents are also invited to share photos of their lit candle, as well as videos and comments with their thoughts on what can be learned from the Holocaust, by emailing walsallforall@walsall.gov.uk.

All contributions sent in will be shared on Facebook and Twitter throughout the week.

Sandwell Council will mark the day with the laying of wreaths of daffodils in the memorial garden at Highfields Register Office in West Bromwich.

Council buildings at Highfields and Sandwell Council House in Oldbury will be lit purple; the colour adopted by the Holocaust Memorial Trust, from 3.30pm onwards.

Sandwell Mayor, Councillor Dr Ann Jaron, who will be releasing a special video message on the day, urged people to mark the day safely at home.

Councillor Jaron, whose own Polish grandfather was murdered in Auschwitz concentration camp, said: "Because of the current Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold our annual commemoration ceremony.

Speech

"A member of staff from Highfields will lay a wreath in memory of those murdered and to stand against prejudice and hate."

In Dudley, the Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley will be doing a pre-recorded speech and candle lighting at home, which can be seen at mayorofdudley.org.

The Council House will also be lit in purple for the day and Ian Austin and his team are also organising an online event at 12pm on Friday, January 29, which can be seen at bit.ly/Dudley-Holocaust-Memorial

Wolverhampton Council will be marking the occasion virtually with a series of video messages from prominent civic figures shared across social media channels.

In Wyre Forest, Councillor Fran Oborski will be holding an online Holocaust Memorial Commemoration at 12pm on Sunday, January 31, placing a lit candle lantern outside St. Mary and All Saints' Church in Kidderminster.

In Staffordshire, a series of virtual events will be held across the day, with an online service at 7pm and a series of online activities from the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council said: "This is an important annual event when we all join together to remember those lives affected by persecution and genocide.

"By bringing people and communities together we can not only celebrate our diversity, but we can build a better future for everyone."

To find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day, go to hmd.org.uk/take-part-in-holocaust-memorial-day/activities/