Luton’s mayor is encouraging people to attend the town’s Holocaust Memorial Day service, which takes place on Sunday (January 27).
Residents, members of Luton Council of Faiths, councillors, council staff and community leaders will be coming together to commemorate the event at 3pm in Luton Town Hall council chamber.
January 27 was chosen as it was on this date in 1945 that the largest Nazi killing camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated.
The event has been held annually in the UK since 2001, and offers a chance for people to remember the victims and survivors as well as the ongoing atrocities that continue to occur today.
This year’s theme is ‘Communities together: Build a bridge’, looking at lessons from history showing that communities which have lived side by side peacefully for generations can be persuaded to turn on each other.
Councillor Syd Knight, Mayor of Luton, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the past, but also the chance to respect and support the different communities that exist in the town.
“We are very proud of Luton’s diversity, in fact it’s one of our major strengths and if we can all make the effort to connect with our different communities, together we can create a safer and more harmonious environment that we all can live and work in.”
The day’s programme will begin with interactive stories, followed by a commemorative service featuring songs by the Restoration Revival Fellowship Senior Choir and an address by Kelvin Hopkins, MP for Luton North.
Candles will be lit in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and the Kaddish (Hebrew prayer for the dead) will be led by Brian Green and David Young of the Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue.
To register to attend the event contact Ann Loeffler on 01582 546033.