Holocaust Memorial Day: 80 Years On
Written by Gabriella Wilton, member of the UoB Jewish Society
What is Holocaust Memorial Day?
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and this year marks the 80th anniversary since its liberation. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of prejudice and complacency.
However, Holocaust Memorial Day should not be restricted to just reflection of the past as indicated by the theme this year, ‘For a Better Future’ I believe the theme encourages us to take action against any form of hate in the present, advocating for a world of unity and compassion.
While we acknowledge that lessons of history are not confined to the past and major displays of hatred do not happen in isolation, we learn that torches of hatred could continue to be enflamed without displaying vigilance in the face of adversity.
The theme of a better future reminds me of a pertinent quote by Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor, who proclaims that "We have to prevent atrocities, not just by commemorating the past, but by taking action in the present."
How can we commemorate HMD on campus?
UoB’s Jewish Society are hosting Kitty Hart-Moxon OBE’s son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Moira, on Wednesday 28 January, 19:00-20:30, in Teaching and Learning Lecture Theatre 102 to share her story as a Holocaust survivor. Her empowering testimony includes her journey of resilience and determination, keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. Kitty survived Auschwitz as a teenager, and her account recalls her intense but inspiring story of survival and hope for the future.
Register for the event.
Through this event, we can pay tribute to all the victims of Nazi persecution. By honouring their memory and ensuring their testimonies live on, we can prevent the atrocities of the past from repeating in the present. This event is open to all students and is an opportunity to be part of the ‘better future’ campaign.