The Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Cllr Frank Warby, and Canon Peter Barham, of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, will be joined by councillors, children from two Bury St Edmunds schools and representatives from religious groups at a special service on Friday 26 January to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The aim is not only to remember all victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, but also to take the opportunity to reflect on those affected by more recent atrocities as well as educating about the dangers of racism and all forms of discrimination. The specific theme for 2007 is ‘The dignity of difference’. The theme has been designed to encourage people to look at what we have learned from the Holocaust about the consequences of exclusion based on people’s difference from us. It highlights the experiences of a variety of groups under the Nazis, and explores the opportunities this history gives us to consider how we can create a society based on respect for difference.
This year the event begins at 10.30am and will include children from St James Middle School and GuildhallFeoffmentSchool. The memories of those with first hand experience of the Holocaust will also be read out.
St Edmundsbury marked the first Holocaust Memorial Day in 2001 with the creation of a white memorial garden in the Abbey Gardens and a blessing ceremony.
The ceremony on January 26 invites the public to join the Mayor, Canon Peter Barham and guests in a short service. This will be followed by various readings including the Holocaust Memorial Day statement of commitment by school children and councillors.
The full statement of commitment is:
- We recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning.
- We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation's collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.
- We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocide.
- We value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil.
- We recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people's lives worth less than others'. Genocide, anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.
- We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocide. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt.
- We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by holding an annual UK Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, tolerant, and democratic society.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
