Every one of us has a part to play in challenging prejudice and
discrimination in our society, the Holocaust Memorial Day
Regional Commemoration heard.
The annual event, hosted by The Executive Office in conjunction
with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Belfast City Council,
saw around 400 people gather at Belfast City Hall on Tuesday,
January 24 to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust
and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The theme of HMD 2023, ‘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.”
