Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on the 27th January each year as this date is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. 2015 marks an even more poignant date as this year is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the location that witnessed the death of over one million Jews.
Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for everyone to pause and reflect on the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the period of Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Residents of Scilly can learn more about the holocaust in a special exhibition at Porthcressa Library; please take some time to call in if you are able. The local Book Club will also be reviewing autobiographies and literature from survivors with some of these titles available for loan through the library. A smaller exhibition focussing on sport will also be on display in the Wellbeing Centre at Carn Gwaval for the next few weeks.
For more information about the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust please visit www.hmd.org.uk