Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Saturday 27 January 2024, the
Mayor of London, , and Chair of the London
Assembly, AM, have today welcomed Jewish
community leaders and Holocaust and genocide survivors for a
service of commemoration at City Hall.
In collaboration with the Holocaust Educational Trust and the
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, City Hall’s annual service is held
to remember the survivors and victims of the Holocaust as well as
those affected by other genocides.
The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Fragility of
Freedom’. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the
genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda - 49 years after the
Holocaust ended and 19 years after the genocide in Cambodia, more
than a million Tutsis were murdered in 100 days by Hutu
extremists.
The ceremony featured testimonials from Holocaust survivor Janine
Webber BEM, who shared her account of having to flee Poland with
her family after the Nazi invasion and Safet Vukalic BEM, who is
a survivor of the Bosnian genocide.
Speeches were made by the Mayor, Chair of the London Assembly,
Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia
Marks-Woldman OBE, and Chief Executive of the Holocaust
Educational Trust, Karen Pollock CBE.
There were also reflections from Holocaust Educational Trust
Ambassadors, and Nicole Petar of Elstree Screen Arts Academy
delivered the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment.
The El Male Rachamim memorial prayer was read by Rabbi Epstein
and Rebbetzin Ilana Epstein of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue.
Musical performances by Cantor Rachel Weston and accordionist
Josh Middleton on behalf of the Jewish Music Institute opened and
concluded the service.
The Mayor of London, , said: “The
Holocaust is one of the most harrowing events in history and it’s
vital that we continue to hold events like this to ensure we
never forget those who were killed and never forget where
prejudice, racism and hatred can lead if allowed to fester
unchecked and unchallenged. This feels more important than
ever as we confront the depressing reality that antisemitism is
on the rise once again here and around the world. As Mayor, I’ll
continue to ensure we take a zero-tolerance approach to
antisemitism and hatred in our city and work to unite our
communities as we build a better London for everyone.”
Chair of the London Assembly, AM said: “Holocaust
Memorial Day is the time for us to remember the tragic loss of
life in the Holocaust and other genocides across the world. It is
essential that we continue to commemorate those who suffered, to
ensure future generations are aware of the history faced by so
many. Genocide tears communities apart, and this year’s Holocaust
Memorial Day theme – ‘Fragility of Freedom’ – highlights the loss
of freedom suffered through genocide. We come together to
remember and support Londoners who have suffered and survived,
and with the hope of a future without such horrific crimes.”
Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust
Educational Trust, said: “We are proud to once
again be supporting City Hall in marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
This commemoration provides London with the opportunity to pause
and remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who
were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, and honour
those who survived. This year, as antisemitism once again sweeps
across the globe, it is more important than ever to remember the
six million Jewish victims and remind ourselves that anti-Jewish
racism did not begin nor end with the Holocaust.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust
Memorial Day Trust, said: “In an era marked by
growing susceptibilities to divisions and biases, it was an
honour to listen to the narratives of Janine Webber and Safet
Vukalic. Their testimonies, set against the backdrop of our theme
for Holocaust Memorial Day this year - ‘The Fragility of Freedom’
- are a stark reminder that freedom is not a given, but something
we must actively cherish and protect. I especially commend the
Mayor of London and everyone at City Hall for bringing together
people from different backgrounds each year, inspiring us to
learn from history and build a better future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims
of the Holocaust 2024 is Saturday 27 January.
