Holocaust Memorial Day Service
Posted on Tuesday 21st January 2020
Members of the public are invited to the annual Holocaust Memorial Day Service at 11am on Monday 27 January in Newport Cathedral.
This year marks 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Newport City Council is hosting the annual service, which, for 2020, has the theme "stand together".
It explores how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups and how these tactics can be challenged by standing together and speaking out against oppression.
Among those attending this year will be the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, the High Sheriff, the Deputy Mayor of Newport, Councillor Charles Ferris, and the Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Jane Mudd.
Caerleon Comprehensive School's choir are performing a number of songs and pupils will deliver readings and prayers. Children from Langstone Primary School will be involved in the candle procession while Gwent Music Brass Ensemble play.
The national commemoration event has taken place in the UK since 2001 with more than 2,400 local activities taking place on or around 27 January each year
This is a day to pay respects and remember the millions of people who have died during, or whose lives were changed by, the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Holocaust Memorial Day is also an opportunity each year for people around the UK to stand together with those in their local community, across boundaries of faith, age and ethnicity. It is a reminder that hate crimes, motivated by hostility towards a person's race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity are still on the rise.
Anyone affected by hate crime can report it, and access support, by contacting Gwent Police on 101 or 999, reporting online at www.report-it.org.uk or speaking to Victim Support www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk