Join us to learn and remember on Holocaust Memorial Day

The programme has been organised by Stand Together – a group of Hartlepool young people aged 13-18 supported by Hartlepool Youth Service - who promote the need for everyone to be kind and inclusive.

The theme this year is ‘Fragility of Freedom.’ Being free is something very precious and should never be taken for granted. Throughout history, many millions of people – such as during the Holocaust and in countries such as Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur – have lost their freedom, their homes and their lives through genocide and there are still many people around the world being persecuted.

Throughout the day from 10am to 8pm the young people will be sharing their work online on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hartlepoolyouthservices.

This will include a video charting the ten stages of genocide and a look at children’s books promoting kindness and tolerance created by Stand Together over the past year.

A special highlight will be the invitation, at 8pm, 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.

As well as the online programme, there will also be other events.

Stand Together have been working with young people and pupils from Sacred Heart Primary School and Stranton Primary School to create illuminated jars decorated to represent villages, towns and cities, reflecting how we must all value and protect freedom within our communities and remembering those who have lost theirs.

The jars will be on display in the windows of Community Hub Central in York Road from the evening of Friday 26th January to the evening of Saturday 27th January.

Individual packs to create your own illuminated jar at home – including a battery-powered light – are available free by emailing hartlepoolyouthoffer@hartlepool.gov.uk. 

People are also invited to a special screening in the town of the 2023 film ‘The Old Oak’, on Saturday 27th January.

Directed by Ken Loach, the film tells the story of how a young Syrian woman and a pub landlord join forces to unite two traumatised communities in the North-East.

Entry to the screening is free but places are limited and must be booked in advance – for more details and to book, please email sarah.mccluskey@hartlepool.gov.uk by 12 noon on Thursday 25th January. Please note that the film carries a ‘15’ parental advisory for very strong language.

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the Stand Together Group, member Jack Naylor said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember those whose lives have been lost and those who are still being persecuted.

“We take our freedom for granted, but it is so precious, and we must always protect it and defend people whose freedom is threatened by hate and discrimination.”

Councillor Jim Lindridge, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, added: “These caring and thoughtful young people are a credit to our town and they have done a lot of hard work to prepare this year’s events.

“Holocaust Memorial Day has powerful lessons for us all to learn and remember and I hope as many people as possible will join in the events on this most important day.”