Wiltshire Council Marks Holocaust Memorial Day
The flag at County Hall, Trowbridge will be lowered on Wednesday 27 January 2021 as Wiltshire Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day, but due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no formal ceremony this year.
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January. This year the national theme is 'Be the light in the darkness'.
The theme relates not only to the Nazi Holocaust of the Second World War but also subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur - as well as present-day situations around the world and closer to home.
'Be the light in the darkness' is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking Holocaust Memorial Day. This year's theme asks everyone to consider different kinds of 'darkness', including identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways of 'being the light', including acts of solidarity, rescue, and highlighting mistruths.
Cllr Philip Whitehead, Wiltshire Council Leader said, "Over the last year, in Wiltshire we have seen the very best of what communities can achieve when they come together, but we need to guard against the abuse and spread of misinformation on social media.
"'Be the light in the darkness' encourages individuals, families, and groups to come together with their friends and neighbours, and to make a stand against wrongful persecution and oppression".
Background and more information
Holocaust Memorial Day was first marked nationally in 2001 and is now established as an annual day of remembrance. The 27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Local authorities, faith and community groups and individuals take a lead in developing local memorial events and appropriate activities.
More information is available from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, see website Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (hmd.org.uk)
