PEOPLE in Redditch came together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, to remember the millions murdered by genocide and to say with one voice ‘never again’.
Holocaust Memorial Day exists to honour the memory of all victims of genocide and atrocity in the world.
It remembers the 6million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, along with the millions killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and the people who died in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Two services took place in Redditch on Saturday.
There was an Outdoor Commemoration Service at the Redditch Holocaust Memorial Marker.
After this, people were invited to the Ecumenical Centre, where attendees heard first-hand testimony from Leija Golos, a survivor of the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
‘Bridging Generations’ is this year’s theme across the country, as a reminder the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors.
It lives on through their children, grandchildren and all those committed to ensuring such atrocities are never forgotten.
Redditch Mayor, Coun Joanna Kane and Coun Bill Hartnett, Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Committee, spoke at the service, along with town MP Chris Bloore.
Coun Hartnett said: “We started at the Holocaust Memorial Marker where the Mayor, MP, Royal British Legion, community groups from the Polish, Kerela and Bangladesh and council representatives from Labour, Conservative and Green parties laid white roses.
“Our speaker was Lejla Golos who was 14 years old when the war started in Bosnia 31 years ago – Lejla gave a very moving and emotional account of what she had witnessed.
“We saw Redditch at its best with residents, councillors and community groups all standing together to remember.”
