Dorchester unites for Holocaust Memorial Day film project
Dignitaries, school children and family members of Holocaust victims are asking us all to light a candle
Last updated 27th Jan 2022
Dorchester's community has banded together for a project to mark Holocaust Memorial Day today.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is held annually on 27 January to remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than a million people died during the Second World War.
Traditionally, Dorchester Town Council hold a service of remembrance at the Corn Exchange - this year they're premiering a short video on social media to reach a far greater audience.
The short film features local school children, dignitaries and community groups and will premiere on Dorchester Town Council's social media pages at 12pm today. They're asking us to light a candle with them at the end.
Emma Scott, Community Development Officer at Dorchester Town Council says:
“This is always a very poignant event, and one that is still meaningful today. It allows us not only to remember those who died during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, but also to honour their deaths by pledging to stand up to discrimination and hatred which we continue to need to resist today.
“The film will allow us to reflect on the theme ‘One Day’- survivors of the Holocaust and of genocide often talk about the One Day when everything changed, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for better.”
Cllr Gareth Jones, The Mayor of Dorchester says:
“This is a longstanding event that the Town Council have always been pleased to support. We especially value the input of children and young people as it ensures that the lessons of the past are being learned and shared to create a better future, and we would like to thank the schools that have participated this year including Sunninghill Prep School, The Woodroffe School, The Thomas Hardye School and Stoborough CE VA Primary School”.
Mona Elkotory, Chair of the SWDMCN says:
“The South West Dorset Multicultural Network have regularly held a well-attended event to remember the HMD. This year we are pleased to support the event in partnership with the Town Council through an excellent film which we hope will be a good replacement to mark this important day of remembrance.”
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, added:
“Holocaust Memorial Day provides a stark reminder of all those who suffered and died because of their religious beliefs or cultural differences. We must never underestimate the potential of man’s inhumanity to man and the need to ensure that intolerance is replaced with wisdom and compassion.”