Holocaust Memorial Day will be commemorated by the City of Aberdeen at Aberdeen Art Gallery on Friday 27 January.
The event 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. It marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron, who will be representing the city at the event, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a significant date on our calendar and it is right that we should come together as a community to remember the millions of victims and indeed survivors of the Holocaust itself and other genocides.
“I would encourage citizens from across the city regardless of their faith or non-faith to join us at what will be a very reflective and moving event.”
The day will begin with Marischal College being lit from the early hours in purple colours to represent the Holocaust Memorial flame.
From 11.45am, visitors to the Art Gallery can listen to a piano recital by Orit Adam before the formal part of the event gets underway at noon when Tommy Campbell, member of Aberdeen Holocaust Commemoration Committee, will welcome guests.
At 12.10pm Tutu’s Senior Dance Group will perform ‘Anne’s Diary’, which tells the story of how an ordinary teenage girl Anne Frank and her diary – with its message of hope – changed the world. There will then be a number of readings, including pieces titled ‘Erika’s Suitcase’ and ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ by local school pupils.
The event will conclude with a reflection from the Lord Provost and is due to finish at approximately 1.15pm.
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be available.
Holocaust Memorial Day in Aberdeen is supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Holocaust Memorial Committee, Aberdeen Interfaith Group, Aberdeen Synagogue, Aberdeen Trades Union Council, Four Pillars, Grampian Regional Equality Council, Polish Association Aberdeen, UNITE the union and the University of Aberdeen.