Public event to commemorate 75 years since Auschwitz liberation

Residents in Northumberland are being invited to an event next week to commemorate the 75th liberation of Auschwitz.

 

The Holocaust Memorial Day event, organised by Northumberland County Council, will be held on Mon Jan 27th at County Hall in Morpeth.

 

The public are invited to come and show their respect at a flag raising service at County Hall, before a special remembrance event in the council chamber.

 

The raising of the Holocaust Memorial flag will take place at 3.15pm before the memorial service at 3.30pm, which this year focuses on the theme of “Stand Together”.

 

The council’s Youth Parliament will be hosting the event with guest speakers from Northumberland’s refugee community. There will also be specially chosen videos from the Holocaust Memorial Trust and Rabbi Lipsey will also be attending the service to bless the flag and share his experiences of a recent trip to Auschwitz.

 

A special plaque commemorating the work of former county councillor Bernard Pidcock will also be unveiled for his commitment to raising awareness of the atrocities of the Holocaust and ensuring that the millions of lives lost are never forgotten.

 

Hexham Library is also hosting a Holocaust Memorial Day event with a moving and thought provoking drama performance by local group the Time Bandits. The event will take place on Jan 27th from 6pm-7.15pm. Tickets are £1 to book go to nlandlibs.eventbrite.com or phone 01670 620450.

 

Cllr Veronica Jones, cabinet member for Adult Wellbeing and Health at the council said: “In this anniversary year it is even more important than ever that we continue to tell the message behind the Holocaust Memorial Day, so that we can all work together to create a safer future.

 

“We would like to invite anyone who would like to mark this important event to join us for our service of reflection and commemoration.”