'Be the Light in the Darkness' - the message on Holocaust Memorial Day
How a 5 year old boy and his baby sister survived Nazi oppression
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember those who died and suffered in the atrocities which took place under Nazi persecution, less than 100 years ago.
People around the country will join in lighting candles to recognise those who lost their lives, while national monuments including Wembley Stadium, the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster will be temporarily lit purple in a tribute at 8pm tonight.
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, described survivors as the perfect inspiration for positivity, especially in the current climate.
She said that the survivors she spoke to, many of whom are currently shielding, were "the epitome of strength and are getting on with it."
"It's not my story... I'm the one who's left around to tell it"
Martin Stern, who spoke to Lincs FM, is the perfect example.
He was only 5-years-old when he was arrested for having a Jewish father.
"It's not my story, I was a kid, but around me were adults. It's their story. I'm the one who's left around to tell it on Holocaust Memorial Day."
He witnessed atrocities alongside his baby sister no child should ever have to see.
"People were starved, worked, beaten and otherwise maltreated to death."
Martin was sent to a prison camp and looked after by a caring woman.
She'd heard about his fathers heroic actions and wanted to adopt Martin and his sister.
"My father ran into a field with a pistol and he shot two of his pursuers."
"He died on the 25th of March 1945, surely not knowing what he had done had played a vital part in saving the lives of both of his children."
He and his sister were eventually liberated.
Martin compares humanity to a volcano:
" A lot of the time the slopes look fertile and beautiful, but sometimes the human race blows up and murders large numbers of its own members."
"The Holocaust is the example which occurred in the 20th century, in the heart of Europe, in the country of Beethoven, with fine universities and with a democratic constitution and a parliament and elections."
"We learnt about the fragility of our civilisation and how thin the crust of civilisation is over the substratum of human savagery."
"Which civilisation should control."
Meanwhile, in Manchester, a Year 10 pupil from Royton Crompton has written and recorded a poem to mark the important day.
Elsewhere, The National Holocaust Centre & Museum is raising awareness by shining a light on the little known Nazi persecution of the Afro-German community, and the fake racial science which classified both Black and Jew alike as inferior to White for 100 years before the Holocaust.
A hard-hitting 90-sec film featuring Robert Rinder and Melone M’kenzy (who plays Shenzi in the Lion King) has been released.
‘Darkness and Light’ explores aspects of racism, indoctrination, and slavery.
From a Nazi rally to Rwandan genocide, looking at modern White-supremacy and the Uighurs in China, it observes the strengths of survivors, with themes of kindness and salvation.
CEO Marc Cave is delighted with how the film came out.
“By showing the bigger picture through a lens of our expert perspective we hope to give a new insight into the issues of today and leave the audience to come to their own conclusions.”
"We look at the Holocaust through testimony and look at events today and the role young people can take in standing up for others and challenging discrimination."
"We really pause on that question of what it means to be a light in the darkness today."
"We look at how, through challenging divisive language and examples of injustice and persecution, children can become witnesses and upstanders".