Shoah educators unveil theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
'This theme has been developed over a number of months, but has taken on a new and more poignant meaning during the coronavirus pandemic'
Next year’s Holocaust Memorial Day events are to be inspired by the call to action “Be the light in the darkness”, the trust announced today.
Announcing the theme, Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), said it “has been developed over a number of months, but has taken on a new and more poignant meaning during the coronavirus pandemic.”
“For some people, HMD 2021 may look different to previous years. However, our commitment remains unwavering, and we know that groups in the UK will ensure the legacy of HMD 2020 is continued,” she said.
“This theme calls out for imaginative responses. I was so inspired by the creativity and energy which all 17,000 HMD activities showed this year, and I can’t wait to see how people’s ideas bring this theme to life,” she added.
The writer and comedian David Baddiel, who confronted Holocaust denial in a recent documentary, joined the trust in launching the theme.”Most Holocaust deniers now are trolls on the internet. Their main aim is to create pain and offence. They are more dangerous, they disseminate their stuff more widely and young people are more attracted to it,” he said.
“The more you examine and show the absurdity of Holocaust denial, the more someone telling the truth, particularly a survivor, burns stronger,” he added.
HMD 2020 saw an unprecedented 17,000 events marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, with more than 4,500 schools, prisons, faith groups, libraries and community groups taking part.
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