Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is held annually on 27 January to remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than a million people died during the Second World War.
To commemorate the event this year, Dorchester Town Council and the South West Dorset Multicultural Network, with the support of Dorset Council, have been working with the local community, Kushti Bok, and several Dorset schools to create a short film made by Pageant Productions, to reflect on this year’s theme ‘One Day’.
The film will show many contributors, including the Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Gareth Jones, the Chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Val Pothecary, and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr Angus Campbell, lighting candles to represent lighting the darkness.
Emma Scott, Community Development Officer at Dorchester Town Council says:
“This is always a very poignant event, and one that is still meaningful today. It allows us not only to remember those who died during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, but also to honour their deaths by pledging to stand up to discrimination and hatred which we continue to need to resist today.
“The film will allow us to reflect on the theme ‘One Day’- survivors of the Holocaust and of genocide often talk about the One Day when everything changed, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for better.”
Cllr Gareth Jones, The Mayor of Dorchester says:
“This is a longstanding event that the Town Council have always been pleased to support. We especially value the input of children and young people as it ensures that the lessons of the past are being learned and shared to create a better future, and we would like to thank the schools that have participated this year including Sunninghill Prep School, The Woodroffe School, The Thomas Hardye School and Stoborough CE VA Primary School”.
Mona Elkotory, Chair of the SWDMCN says:
“The South West Dorset Multicultural Network have regularly held a well-attended event to remember the HMD. This year we are pleased to support the event in partnership with the Town Council through an excellent film which we hope will be a good replacement to mark this important day of remembrance.”
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, adds “Holocaust Memorial Day provides a stark reminder of all those who suffered and died because of their religious beliefs or cultural differences. We must never underestimate the potential of man’s inhumanity to man and the need to ensure that intolerance is replaced with wisdom and compassion.”
The film is under half an hour long, and you are invited to watch it, at a time that suits you.
For more information, visit the Dorchester Town Council website or the South-West Dorset Multicultural Network website.
Please note that although the film includes contributions from children in Years 5 and 6, as well as from older students it is at your discretion whether the content is suitable for younger children.
If you’d like to learn more about this year’s theme the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has a range of resources including life stories, recommendations for book clubs, poetry and short films. And they will also be live streaming The UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 online on Thursday 27 January at 7pm – to register for a free ticket, please visit their website.
