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Newcastle remembers the Holocaust with programme of city-wide events

ByCharley Williams

Jan 20, 2017

Newcastle will join the rest of the world in marking Holocaust Memorial Day [January 27th], a date etched into history books as the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz [in 1945].

The theme will be explored during a variety of events throughout January and into February [9th January until 7th February] that will enable people to reflect on the persecution and suffering of the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.

This year’s chosen theme is “How Can Life Go On?”  It encourages society to take a moment to think about the daunting prospect that faces survivors of genocide, as they rebuild their lives after the atrocities have ended.

Newcastle City Council is working in partnership with a number of organisations to deliver HMD events. They include the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Anne Frank Trust UK, Brundibár Arts Festival, A Living Tradition, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities,  Northern Cultural Projects, Newcastle Library Service, Northern Pride, and the Representative Council Of North East Jewry.

There will be art exhibitions, workshops, lectures, films and music recitals. The venues include St Nicholas Cathedral, City Library, Newcastle’s Civic Centre, Caedmon Hall (Gateshead), Riverside Health Centre, the Kings Hall, Alphabetti Theatre and Brunswick Methodist Church.

Cllr Joyce McCarty, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to learn from the past and rededicate ourselves to a better future in which persecution is never tolerated.

“Newcastle’s extensive Holocaust Memorial Day programme would not be made possible without the commitment of individuals and organisations from across the city. We are grateful to everyone involved and hope the community will join us in attending the programmed events for what we are sure will be both a sobering and enriching experience.”

For a full list of ‘Holocaust Memorial Day’ events taking place in Newcastle please visit the City Council’s website www.newcastle.gov.uk/hmd
The Holocaust Memorial Day programme consists of free and ticketed events.  To avoid disappointment, it is advised that people visit the appropriate website pages to see which events require advanced bookings and paid for tickets.

Please also keep a regular look out for updates on the City Council’s social media platforms @NewcastleCityCouncil (Face Book) and @NewcastleCC (Twitter) using #HMD2017

To learn more about the national programme of events please visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website www.hmd.org.uk