Crowds gather to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (From Swindon Advertiser)

Crowds gather to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

7:30pm Friday 27th January 2012 in News By Matthew Edwards

CHILDREN, politicians, the emergency services and members of the public all gathered yesterday to remember the Holocaust.

Silence fell at midday as more than 100 people gathered around the town centre Cenotaph to mark national Holocaust Memorial Day.

The service was opened by a musical tribute played by two violinists before Swindon Literature Festival organiser Matt Holland led the tributes.

The annual day of remembrance, which started in 2001, marks the date when Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945. The theme for this year’s event was The Legacy of Hope.

The day, which has been given the slogan Speak Up, Speak Out this year, also encourages people to remember numerous other human rights tragedies around the world, including persecution and wars past and present, and aims to help raise awareness among young people.

Coun Rod Bluh, who was among the crowd, said he found the day especially poignant as his family, including his father, were affected by the Holocaust.

He said: “I am pleased to see so many here today. Remembrance to me is about learning from the past and making sure it doesn’t happen again.

“My father only just escaped the Holocaust, but many members of our family didn’t.

“I am proud that Swindon has marked this day since it started, and to see so many young people here to learn about what has happened.”

A wreath-laying ceremony led by Mayor Ray Ballman was followed by readings and reflection at the Friends Meeting House in Eastcott Hill.

Coun Ballman said: “It is important to remember all the people who lost their lives not only in the Holocaust but other genocides since then.”

Among Swindon schools which attended were pupils from The Ridgeway.

The school’s religious education teacher, Laura Cox, said: “The students have all come out of choice. It is nice to see that they do have an interest in what they are learning at school.”

Ed Colton, 13, said: “It is something very emotional and it is good to be able to learn what has happened and to remember.”