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Holocaust Memorial Day

25 January 2023

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January each year. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps and is intended to help us remember and become aware of the impact of Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides.


It is a time when people can express their hope and support for the end of war, and their sorrow for dreadful treatment of their fellow human beings. It enables us to look ahead and consider what contribution we can make towards helping those affected to rebuild their lives.

Derby and Derbyshire have a proud history of supporting communities fleeing from atrocities. We have provided safety to post-war refugees after World War 2, refugees from Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo in the 1990s, through to more recent refugees from countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.

In the past 150 years, millions of people have lost their lives in genocide or mass atrocities, because of their disability, race or nationality, religion or beliefs, sexuality and more. We must learn and remember lessons from the past to create a safer, better future.

Public services play a vital role in tackling prejudice and discrimination by working with our diverse communities, taking action to encourage greater cohesion, creating a safe and supportive environment, and protecting the most vulnerable.

Supporting cohesive communities and awareness training

As a part of our ongoing commitment to support our communities we work closely with colleagues, partners and communities to raise awareness and tackle hate crime.

If you'd like to learn more about our work, including hate crime awareness, modern slavery or Prevent please visit Derbyshire Learning Online for the more details, including dates of live webinars.

Lighting up of County Hall

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, we will be lighting up County Hall (colours of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust logo) on Friday 27 January 2023 after dark as a part of a national 'Light the Darkness' initiative.

Visit a local library display

Derbyshire libraries including Alfreton, Dronfield, Eckington, South Normanton, Whaley Bridge to mention a few, have organised book displays marking Holocaust Memorial Day.

The books are a mixture of fiction and non-fiction and are suitable for children and adults alike.

Ordinary People event

This year colleagues from Chesterfield Equality and Diversity Forum and Chesterfield Borough Council have invited us to attend an online Holocaust Memorial Day event on Friday 27 January 2023, from 10am to 11.45am.

Further resources

For further resources, such us Holocaust Memorial Day podcast, blogs, suggested readings, life stories and videos, visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

Manages may want to consider sharing a short 20-minute film that has been put together to mark this year's event. Download a free copy of the Ordinary People film.