Join us to heed the lessons of Holocaust Memorial Day

Published Monday, 23rd January 2023

People of all ages are invited to share in a poignant day-long programme of online events on Friday 27th January to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The programme has been organised by the Stand Together group of Hartlepool young people aged 13-16 with support from Hartlepool Youth Services and aims to promote tolerance and the need to value difference and diversity.

The theme this year is ‘Ordinary People,’ which has various interpretations including how the lives of ordinary individuals have been affected by genocide and how ordinary people can make a difference by standing up for others facing persecution and discrimination.

Throughout the day from 10am to 10pm the young people will be sharing their work on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hartlepoolyouthservices and on Youtube by clicking here.

There will be information on hate crime, a look at a school and community portrait project commemorating ordinary people who have made a difference by taking a stand, two children’s stories celebrating difference created by the Stand Together group and the launch of an anti-bullying poster campaign developed by the group in partnership with Hartlepool College of Further Education.

There will also be an exploration of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Journeys website, which uses ordinary items to chart how individual lives were impacted by the Holocaust, and a look at craft projects made by young people influenced by the website.

Plus there will be several short films, including a focus on the success of the Twisted Tea Party - Stand Together’s community event celebrating diversity - and a profile of Sir Nicholas Winton, who organised the rescue of 669 Czech children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Second World War.

A special highlight will be the invitation, at 4pm, for people to join in a candle-lighting ceremony at home to remember all those murdered in genocide and to show their commitment to making a stand against prejudice and persecution.

For the full programme and timings visit www.facebook.com/hartlepoolyouthservices

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the Stand Together Group, member Axel Cooper said: “We hope people of all ages will join us on this very important day, to reflect and show solidarity, and we would like to thank everyone who has worked with us to make our event a reality.

“We will remember all the ordinary people who suffered and lost their lives in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, the depths to which humanity can sink through prejudice and persecution and the powerful lessons we must all learn from that.

“We also want to empower people by showing how ordinary individuals can make a big difference by taking a stand against hatred and discrimination and celebrating and protecting difference and diversity.”

Councillor Jim Lindridge, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, added: “We must all pause on Holocaust Memorial Day and reflect on the terrible warnings from history and together we must stand up against prejudice and persecution.

“These young people have put such a lot of work into organising this impressive commemoration – they are an absolute credit to our town and I hope as many people as possible will support them by taking part in Friday’s online events.”

For more information about the event contact Rachael Garlick - email rachael.garlick@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 01429 273741.