Manchester will mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 by lighting up the Tower of Light and by hosting an event with a Holocaust survivor in the Central Library.
National Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on Friday, January 27. This year, the guiding theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is “Ordinary People”.
It means that people across the world are being encouraged to consider how ordinary folk were involved in all aspects of the Holocaust — and how ordinary people can play a bigger part in challenging prejudice today. Part of this year’s memorial includes an audience with Janine Webber BEM, herself a survivor of the atrocity.
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The event, called ‘Ordinary Perpetrators, Extraordinary Survival - An Audience with Janine Webber BEM, Holocaust Survivor’ is invite-only, but will be streamed online for the public. Marc Cave, Director of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, said ‘anti-Jewish racism’ is on the rise — making this year’s Memorial Day even more important
“We are delighted to be partnering Manchester City Council to mark Holocaust Memorial Day,” he said. “It will help ensure that Janine’s testimony is heard far and wide – both in person and through The Forever Project. When listening to witnesses like Janine, it is crucial to join the dots between the hate she experienced in the 1940s and the anti-Jewish racism of today.
"We are seeing a marked rise on social media and even on the street. The myths and conspiracy theories behind it are exactly the same as those which led to the Holocaust.
“Having been a student at Manchester University, I know what a friendly and cosmopolitan place Manchester is. So I’m hopeful that through our partnership with Manchester City Council, we can extend our Museum’s warm community of ‘critical thinkers’, who know how to challenge the misinformation and ignorance upon which all forms of racism are based."
As part of the event, attendees will see a demonstration of ‘The Forever Project’, which is a AI technology platform created by the National Holocaust Centre and Museum to immortalise conversations with Holocaust survivors. The Forever Project allows people to put thousands of questions to Holocaust survivors even after they have passed away and receive the answers in real time, ensuring that their stories are not lost as time passes.
Holocaust Memorial Day has been held on the same day each year since 2001. As well as providing opportunities to learn about the Nazi Persecution of minorities and the Holocaust, it also looks at the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Alongside this, to show Manchester’s solidarity with Holocaust Memorial Day, the Tower of Light, located in the city centre, will be lit up purple as part of a national moment of commemoration from 4pm on January 27.
“Holocaust Memorial Day acts as an ever-present reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust. On this annual day we will honour the six million victims and we stand in solidarity with the communities and families affected,” Joanna Midgley, the deputy leader of Manchester City Council added. “It is essential for us as a city to unite and reflect on this period.
“As well as discuss how important it is for us to speak up against prejudice today and, work together to create a welcoming atmosphere for all residents of Manchester. This year, we will be distributing resources to schools to educate young people and residents have the unique opportunity to hear from Janine Webster, a Holocaust Survivor who’ll be speaking about her life - I'd like to invite all to join our live stream and watch the event.”
Manchester Jewish Museum will also be marking Holocaust Memorial Day with a series of free reflective performances and workshops due to take place on January 27. ‘We Remember Them In Verbs’ and was co-created with a group of young people called ‘Creative Activists’. It explores how people can share the lesser-heard Holocaust stories and connect them with our local communities.
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