Southampton will mark the UK’s national Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day with a commemorative event organised by the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton and hosted by Solent University.
Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day is the annual, national commemoration and remembrance of victims of national, ethnic, racial, and/or religious persecution. It commemorates all people murdered in genocide. HMD traditionally takes place on 27 January each year. This date marks the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
This year, the chosen theme is ‘One Day’. Individuals are encouraged to choose One Day in history of genocide and learn about that day. This theme also represents a collective hope that One Day, there will be no genocide. Further information on HMD can be found by visiting www.hmd.org.uk.
The University of Southampton and Solent University this year will mark the Armenian Genocide (1915–1916). Approximately 1.5 million Armenians were murdered by Ottoman Turks during the First World War.
After careful consideration Southampton’s HMD event will now take place online via Zoom on Wednesday 26 January from 18:00 to 20:00. This event is non-ticketed and free, and all are welcome to attend.
The evening will feature a talk by Professor Donald Bloxham (University of Edinburgh) on British response to the Armenian genocide, as well as a theatrical performance on the Holocaust by students from Solent University. Southampton school pupils’ reflections from outreach workshops will be shared. There will also be an online exhibition about HMD available.
On Thursday 27 January, the City of Southampton will receive an oak tree from the Association for Jewish Refugees (AJR). This will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the AJR and Southampton’s role in receiving refugees fleeing Nazism in the 1930s and 40s. This tree – one of 80 nationally – will be planted on Southampton Common at 11:00. For more information on the ‘80 Trees for 80 years’ project, please visit https://ajr.org.uk/.
Please contact Hannah Capey ([email protected]) or Nicola Woodhead ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
