Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January, we find out how Holocaust Centre North and Manchester Jewish Museum are marking the occasion.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place every year on 27th January; a day dedicated to remembering millions of victims of the Holocaust and other genocides recognised by the UK government. This day is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau, the most infamous of the Nazi concentration camps. This year marks the 80th year since the liberation of the camp; as such the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has organised a digital exhibition of 80 bespoke candleholders designed and created by communities and organisations from across the UK that highlight the life of an individual or a community persecuted by the Nazis. The theme of this year’s HMD is For a Better Future. The theme highlights our collective responsibility to shape a better future by confronting Holocaust and genocide denial, challenging prejudice, and promoting education about the Holocaust and more recent genocides.
Two of our local museums will also be holding special events to commemorate the day. Both of the events are free to attend, so be sure to make space in your calendar!
Holocaust Centre North | 28th January
Join Holocaust Centre North in its HMD commemoration as the museum remembers the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust and the victims of subsequent genocides across the world.
The evening will feature artists, performers, and speakers, including:
- Jen Kagan, the centre’s Chair of Trustees and Friend of Holocaust Centre North. Jen helped to curate the ‘Through Our Eyes’ exhibition in 2018, which features the remarkable story of her mother, Margaret Kagan.
- Professor Caroline Sturdy Colls, a Professor of Holocaust Archaeology and Genocide Investigation at the University of Huddersfield. Her research focuses on the application of interdisciplinary approaches to the investigation of Holocaust landscapes. Caroline will be talking about the importance of Holocaust Education, remembering, and the impact of her work in the North of England.
- Cantor Rachel Weston, who was inaugurated on the 80th anniversary of Sinai Synagogue in Leeds this year. Cantor Rachel’s inauguration marks part of a significant milestone in the history of rogressive Judaism in the UK.
- 6 Million +, a creative arts projects with an extended family of refugees and local communities. 6 Million+ work amongst the local Kirklees community to create temporary art installations every year to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The centre’s permanent exhibition, ‘Through Our Eyes’, will be kept open after the evenings proceedings for you to explore the testimonies of the 16 Holocaust survivors and refugees who made their new lives in the North of England.
Manchester Jewish Museum | 26th January
To mark HMD 2025, the Manchester Jewish Museum has been collaborating with a group of young people from the Homework Club at NTCG Faith Tabernacle, Cheetham Hill. The young people have been exploring stories from the museum’s collection, learning more about the experiences of Jewish refugees during the Second World War.
In response to the stories, they have been creating artworks on this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme of ‘For a Better Future’. These artworks share the young people’s ideas for Cheetham in the future, including ways in which we can continue to make the city a welcoming place for people arriving into Manchester. Join the museum for an exhibition of their works, alongside other activities designed by the young people.