Holocaust Memorial Day will be commemorated by the city of Aberdeen at Aberdeen Art Gallery on Friday 26 January 2024.
Holocaust Memorial Day is held annually across the world to remember the six million Jews and other groups murdered under Nazi persecution, and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The date, 27 January, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron said: “It is incredibly important for us to come together as a city to remember the millions of victims and survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides, as we mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
“This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme is ‘Fragility of Freedom’ and this will allow us all to reflect on how fragile freedom truly is. I encourage people from within all communities across our city, regardless of their faith or non-faith, to attend what I’m sure will be a very moving event.”
The day will begin with Marischal College being lit from the early hours in purple colours to represent the Holocaust Memorial flame.
The memorial event will commence at 11.45am with a piano recital by Marta and Bartosz Mazurek before the formal part gets underway at 12noon, led by Tommy Campbell, member of Aberdeen Holocaust Commemoration Committee. The event will include readings, as well as music and dance performances, and will conclude with a reflection from the Lord Provost.
The memorial event is due to finish at approximately 1.05pm.
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be available at the event.
Anyone wishing to attend should book their place via our website and more information about the event can also be found online.
Holocaust Memorial Day in Aberdeen is supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Holocaust Memorial Committee, Aberdeen Interfaith Group, Aberdeen Trades Union Council, Four Pillars, Grampian Regional Equality Council, Police Scotland, Polish Association Aberdeen, UNITE the union and the University of Aberdeen.