Holocaust advertising highlights human tragedy

A hard-hitting television advertising campaign launched today aims to highlight the human tragedy of the Holocaust and other forms of genocide.

Designed and produced specifically to mark Northern Ireland’s hosting of the fourth UK Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, the adverts will be screened each evening from 9 to 25 January.

The campaign comprises five adverts lasting 30 to 40 seconds. Filmed starkly in black and white, they portray the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

"The simple but telling adverts will drive home to everyone – particularly the young – just how horrific the events of those days were," said a spokesman for A V Browne who designed the adverts.

Ronnie Appleton QC, of the Council for Christians and Jews and President of the Jewish Community, added: "The television campaign being launched today will raise awareness of what can happen if we ignore the dangers of bigotry and intolerance or the importance of celebrating diversity and of building an inclusive and civilised society. That is the primary objective of UK Holocaust Memorial Day which is being hosted in Northern Ireland between now and the 27 January.

"In view of this year’s overall theme ‘From the Holocaust to Rwanda: lessons learned, lessons still to learn’, it is appropriate that the television campaign contains stark reminders that such evil is not yet confined to the history books.

"Each one of us has a part to play in being vigilant to the danger signs and in building a world where such suffering and victimisation can never again be permitted. When we and those who follow us have achieved that, then we can say we have learned the lessons of those barbaric acts," Mr Appleton added.

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