Candle lighting ceremony takes place at Truro Cathedral ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January
Candles will be lit at Truro Cathedral today ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.
The focus of the ceremony this year will be the stories of Holocaust survivors who have Cornish connections.
The Jewish community will be present along with representatives of several other community groups.
At noon, all community groups present will have the opportunity to light candles, along with the Lord Lieutenant, and senior officers from the Police, in solidarity with those who have been the victims of genocide.
A speech will be given by Jeremy Jacobson, Chairman of Kehillat Kernow – the Jewish community in Cornwall, along with some words by a Muslim representative of Cornwall Faith Forum, Naeem Ahmad.
This will be followed by the talk given by Cynthia Hollinsworth who will tell the story of her mother Blanka Engelberg who survived the Holocaust.
The Cathedral say they also hope to show an interview with Renate Collins BEM who was one of the Jewish children from Czechoslovakia saved by Sir Nicholas Winton - the story of his actions is currently being told in cinemas in the film ‘One Life’.
Finally, a representative of the Cathedral will give a reflective address. The ceremony ends with the chanting of a Jewish memorial prayer reflecting upon the death of a loved one and a time of silence.
Until 3.00pm, community groups that represent people who have faced prejudice or persecution will have stalls and information in the cathedral.
This year includes representatives of the Cornwall Faith Forum, Cornwall Pride, Kehillat Kernow and Black Voices Cornwall, as well as groups supporting those with learning difficulties.
The event is being held on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place each year on 27 January.