Remembering Auschwitz: The Holocaust Memorial Day

Today the UK is honouring the countless victims of Auschwitz with a varying array of memorial services that spread across the length of the British Isles. Over a million people were killed at the Nazi camp during the Second World War before the site was liberated by allied forces in 1945.

This day is not only to remember the tragic victims of Auschwitz, but also to pay tribute to all of those who suffer at the hands of genocide, racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and intolerance throughout the world.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place every year on 27^th January as a way for us to “never forget” the atrocities that occurred during the Nazi’s occupation of Europe. Over six million Jews were killed during this period as a part of the Nazi’s “cleansing” of the people. The Memorial Day was set up by MP Andrew Dismore after he visited the site of Auschwitz, and was so moved and distraught by what he had seen and learned that he created this day alongside the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The Holocaust Educational Trust is playing host to the “Build Bridges” event at Central London’s Millennium Bridge – one of over 1,500 events that have been organised for today. David Cameron has praised the trust’s efforts by tweeting: “Your work is absolutely vital in making sure that we always remember what happened.”

Auschwitz, arguably the most (in)famous of all the Nazi internment camps known for their horrific treatment of, mostly, Jewish citizens targeted specifically by Hitler and his forces. Visits for an Auschwitz tour from Krakow and other nearby cities are easy to book.

It is important to note that after Soviet and allied troops liberated the camp, governments and leaders all over the world made a promise that prejudice and genocide would not be tolerated and would be stopped at any cost.

Ali Kirkby