Leeds set to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

People from across the city will come together this afternoon to remember those who died in the Holocaust.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Judith Chapman, will be hosting a civic commemoration service at Leeds Town Hall from 2pm to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Nick Winton, the son of Sir Nicholas Winton who rescued hundreds of Jewish children in the run up to the Second World War, will speak at the event and music will be provided by Clothworkers Consort of Leeds.

There will also be a traditional candle lighting ceremony and a performance by Northern Ballet students of Small Steps, which was inspired by discussions with Holocaust survivors.

The event will be followed by a question and answer session with Mr Winton.

Coun Chapman said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a chance for people to come together to remember the Holocaust and also subsequent genocides in different parts of the world.”

The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2016 is ‘Don’t Stand By,’ encouraging people to not be a bystander and to find more out about both the rescuers and resisters who have challenged cultures where genocides were able to take place.

Pyramid of Art’s Heroes, an exhibition created by a group of young adults with learning disabilities, will be on display at Leeds Town Hall from Sunday until March 18.

The display is a reaction to the Nazi propaganda posters that promoted a programme to euthanise people with disabilities. Visit hmd.org.uk/events for details.