25/01/2023
Hundreds Gather For Holocaust Memorial Day
The Executive Office has hosted some 400 people at Belfast City Hall to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), 'Ordinary People', highlights the ordinary people who let genocide happen, those who actively perpetrated genocide, those who rescued would-be victims and the ordinary people who were persecuted.
Keynote speaker at the event was Holocaust survivor Eve Kugler, who spoke movingly about how her family was torn apart by the Nazis when they were forced to flee their home in Germany and her parents were sent to concentration camps.
"I hope that those who heard me will remember and talk about it with their friends. I would like them to understand that people are people and there is no reason why one group, because they look different or have a different race or nationality, should be treated badly by anyone. People are people – it sounds trite but that's essentially what the message is," Eve said.
Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary of The Executive Office, also spoke at the event.
"Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder that we all have a responsibility to stand up to prejudice, intolerance and discrimination," he said.
"This year's theme, Ordinary People, highlights that every one of us has a role to play in making our society a more inclusive and welcoming place for all. No-one should underestimate their potential to positively impact change; or forget that inaction and complacency fosters the perpetuation of hate. Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things."
Among those who attended the Regional Commemoration were members of the local Jewish community and representatives of other faith groups and minority ethnic communities.
Speaking at the event, Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tina Black, said: "The Holocaust calls on us to reflect on what can happen when prejudice and identity-based hate is left unchallenged. Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of our ability to interrupt expressions of rage, division and hatred. Each of us has the power to stand against expressions of prejudice. Our actions can help to replace separation with inclusion, change fear to hope and replace hostility with love."
Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, stressed the importance of the Regional Commemoration and welcomed the return of the in-person ceremony – the first since the pandemic.
"I'm delighted that The Executive Office is also continuing to support local activities to mark Holocaust Memorial Day," she said.
"It was very moving to meet for collective commemoration, with Holocaust survivor Eve Kugler's experiences at the heart of the ceremony.
"Eve is an amazing woman, and her testimony will no doubt bring to life the experiences of those who endured the Holocaust. We owe it to those who were murdered, and those who survived - and even future generations - to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive."
The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), 'Ordinary People', highlights the ordinary people who let genocide happen, those who actively perpetrated genocide, those who rescued would-be victims and the ordinary people who were persecuted.
Keynote speaker at the event was Holocaust survivor Eve Kugler, who spoke movingly about how her family was torn apart by the Nazis when they were forced to flee their home in Germany and her parents were sent to concentration camps.
"I hope that those who heard me will remember and talk about it with their friends. I would like them to understand that people are people and there is no reason why one group, because they look different or have a different race or nationality, should be treated badly by anyone. People are people – it sounds trite but that's essentially what the message is," Eve said.
Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary of The Executive Office, also spoke at the event.
"Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder that we all have a responsibility to stand up to prejudice, intolerance and discrimination," he said.
"This year's theme, Ordinary People, highlights that every one of us has a role to play in making our society a more inclusive and welcoming place for all. No-one should underestimate their potential to positively impact change; or forget that inaction and complacency fosters the perpetuation of hate. Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things."
Among those who attended the Regional Commemoration were members of the local Jewish community and representatives of other faith groups and minority ethnic communities.
Speaking at the event, Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tina Black, said: "The Holocaust calls on us to reflect on what can happen when prejudice and identity-based hate is left unchallenged. Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of our ability to interrupt expressions of rage, division and hatred. Each of us has the power to stand against expressions of prejudice. Our actions can help to replace separation with inclusion, change fear to hope and replace hostility with love."
Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, stressed the importance of the Regional Commemoration and welcomed the return of the in-person ceremony – the first since the pandemic.
"I'm delighted that The Executive Office is also continuing to support local activities to mark Holocaust Memorial Day," she said.
"It was very moving to meet for collective commemoration, with Holocaust survivor Eve Kugler's experiences at the heart of the ceremony.
"Eve is an amazing woman, and her testimony will no doubt bring to life the experiences of those who endured the Holocaust. We owe it to those who were murdered, and those who survived - and even future generations - to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive."
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09 December 2003
Lord Mayor unveils Holocaust commemoration details
Full details of the public events planned to commemorate Northern Ireland’s hosting of the UK Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2004 were launched in Belfast today. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Martin Morgan, who hosted the launch, urged people across the country to take part in the commemoration which begins on January 5.
Lord Mayor unveils Holocaust commemoration details
Full details of the public events planned to commemorate Northern Ireland’s hosting of the UK Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2004 were launched in Belfast today. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Martin Morgan, who hosted the launch, urged people across the country to take part in the commemoration which begins on January 5.
24 January 2024
Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration Held At Belfast City Hall
The Executive Office (EO) have hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Commemoration at Belfast City Hall, where almost 300 people gathered to to remember the millions of victims and survivors of the Holocaust and those impacted by the horrors of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration Held At Belfast City Hall
The Executive Office (EO) have hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Commemoration at Belfast City Hall, where almost 300 people gathered to to remember the millions of victims and survivors of the Holocaust and those impacted by the horrors of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
17 October 2019
Genocide Survivors Bring Their Stories To NI
Northern Ireland is remembering past genocides and paying tribute to survivors in a series of events ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day. Three individuals who survived the Holocaust and Bosnian genocides have visited the region to talk about their experiences with over 4,000 people, including school children and adults alike.
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Northern Ireland is remembering past genocides and paying tribute to survivors in a series of events ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day. Three individuals who survived the Holocaust and Bosnian genocides have visited the region to talk about their experiences with over 4,000 people, including school children and adults alike.
27 January 2012
Robinson And McGuinness Host Holocaust Event
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy Martin McGuinness have hosted the 11th regional Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. The theme of this year's event is "Speak Up, Speak Out" and will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp.
Robinson And McGuinness Host Holocaust Event
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy Martin McGuinness have hosted the 11th regional Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. The theme of this year's event is "Speak Up, Speak Out" and will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp.
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