600 candles to be lit at York Minster
It's to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day
600 candles will be lit up at York Minster later as North Yorkshire remembers those who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
It's part of national Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations.
Locally, residents and visitors are invited to mark the day with a programme of commemorative events.
Holocaust Memorial Day occurs on 27 January every year to commemorate the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945.
It is an opportunity for people across the world to come together and reflect the horrific events of the Holocaust, and genocides and persecution worldwide.
In York, the events will commemorate the past, encourage positive action and explore this year’s national theme ‘Fragility of Freedom’.
On Saturday (27 January) from 6:30pm, York Minster’s Chapter House will be lit up by 600 candles to commemorate the six million people who died in the Holocaust. This will follow choral evensong as well as light, music, readings, silence and space for quiet reflection.
The Lord Mayor and civic party also hosted the City of York Council’s annual civic event on Thursday (25 January), which included readings and a theatre performance.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion at City of York Council, said:
“It is important that, as a city, we come together to reflect and commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. It stands as an annual reminder of the atrocities of the past and an opportunity to look and work towards a peaceful future free from hatred.
“I hope as many people as possible can join in with the events next week as York marks this poignant day.”
Sam Borin, Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Committee Chair, said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the horrific events of the past and, this year, reminds us not to take our freedoms for granted.
“The events programme once again sees partners from across the city come together to reflect on the past and encourage positive action to promote peace. It reminds us that we can all play our part, no matter how small it seems.
“On behalf of the Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group, I would like to thank everybody who makes these events happen.”