Make it a day to learn and remember

The programme has been organised by Stand Together – a group of young people in Hartlepool aged 13-16 who promote solidarity, tolerance and the need to value difference and diversity – with support from Hartlepool Youth Service.

The theme this year is ‘One Day’, which has many different interpretations including encouraging people to pick one day from history during a period of genocide and learn about what happened on that day, and hoping that there may be one day in the future when there will be no genocide.

As part of their research the young people visited the National Holocaust Centre and took part in a Zoom meeting with Steven Frank, who was five when the Nazis occupied Amsterdam where he was born and was one of only 93 children who survived the Theresienstadt camp out of 15,000 children who were sent there.

Throughout the day on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hartlepoolyouthservices the young people will be sharing stories and short films, plus work created by local children and young people. People will also be invited to join in a candle-lighting ceremony.

Stand Together have also created a Holocaust Memorial Day booklet featuring their research and reflections as well as traditional recipes from countries affected by genocide – it can be downloaded at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/one-day-booklet

The full programme on Facebook – which will run from 9am to 9pm – includes:

9am – We Are Stand Together. A short video about the group Stand Together and why it is committed to commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day.

10am – A short film outlining the ten stages of genocide.

11am – A film about the group’s visit to the National Holocaust Centre.

1pm – The One Day community art project. Take a look at the work of children. and young people reflecting on the theme ‘One Day’ and drawing inspiration from other cultures.

2pm – One Day cookery project – a short video of how young people created traditional recipes from different cultures to sample and share.

3pm – The Bosnian Genocide. Kemal Pervanic tells us about his experiences in this short film.

4pm – Film focus on Adrian Niyonshuti, who survived the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

5pm – Film ‘Loai’ – A survivor of the genocide in Darfur asks us not to stand by.

6pm – Var’s Story – a short film about Var Ashe Houston, a survivor of the genocide in Cambodia.

7pm – Holocaust survivor Mindu Hornick recalls her experience of being transported to Auschwitz.

8pm – Candle-lighting ceremony. Join the Stand Together group in lighting a candle in memory of those murdered by the Nazis.

9pm – Concluding words.

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the group, Stand Together member Amy Naylor said: “It’s important to understand the root causes of genocide in order to try to ensure that it never happens again.

“Genocide happens over time and its roots are in small acts of discrimination, prejudice and hate speech. Left unchallenged, these things can lead to violence against marginalised groups of people and violations of their human rights.

“So every person in every community has a role to play in challenging discrimination and hate.”

Councillor Jim Lindridge, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “These caring and thoughtful young people are a credit to our town.

“Supported by the Youth Service team, they have done an impressive amount of research to prepare a compelling, though-provoking and deeply moving programme for Holocaust Memorial Day.

“I hope as many people as possible will take the time to watch the videos and support this important event.”