On 1 November 2005, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted resolution 60/7 designating 27 January as an annual
International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the
Holocaust.
Secretary-General Stresses Need to Be Ever Vigilant against Bigotry, Extremism,
in Message for World Commemoration of Holocaust Victims
Following is UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of
Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, to be observed
on 27 January:
Every year on the
anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, we
commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. We recall the suffering of
millions of innocent people and highlight the perils of anti-Semitism
and hatred of any kind.
This year we focus on
journeys through the Holocaust — and I recall a recent journey of my
own. Last November, I walked through the infamous “arbeit macht frei” gate at Auschwitz-Birkenau. I will never forget my visit.
I saw the horrific
remnants of the machinery of genocide, as well as moving images of
European Jewish life in the 1930s — weddings, family meals, rituals,
other scenes of simple daily life — all extinguished through systematic
murder unique in human history. I saw the barracks where Jews, Roma,
Sinti, homosexuals, dissidents, prisoners of war and persons with
disabilities spent their final days in the most brutal conditions.
The United Nations was
founded to prevent any such horror from happening again. Yet tragedies
from Cambodia to Rwanda to Srebrenica show that the poison of
genocide still flows. We must be ever vigilant against bigotry,
extremist ideologies, communal tensions and discrimination against
minorities. And we must teach our children well. The Holocaust and the
United Nations Outreach Programme has developed effective educational
materials and strong partnerships that help convey these lessons to
students around the world.
Standing near the
crematorium at Auschwitz, I felt deeply saddened by all that had
happened within. But I was also inspired by all those who liberated the
death camps for all humanity. Let us join forces today on a shared
journey to a world of equality and dignity for all.
The 2014 observance of the International Day of
Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust is centred
around the theme “Journeys through the Holocaust”. This theme recalls
the various journeys taken during this dark period, from deportation to
incarceration to freedom, and how this experience transformed the
lives of those who endured it. These are stories of pain and suffering,
yet ultimately also of triumph and renewal, serving as a guiding force
for future generations
In 2014, the International Day of Commemoration will be marked by a
number of national and international events. The following overview of
commemoration events is based on information and links provided by
IHRA member countries, observer countries, and permanent observer
organizations, as well as information compiled by the Permanent Office.
Member Countries: Argentina -
Austria -
Belgium -
Canada -
Croatia -
Czech Republic -
Denmark -
Estonia -
Finland -
France -
Germany -
Greece -
Hungary -
Ireland -
Israel -
Italy -
Latvia -
Lithuania -
Luxembourg -
Netherlands -
Norway -
Poland -
Romania -
Serbia -
Slovakia -
Slovenia -
Spain -
Sweden -
Switzerland -
United Kingdom -
United States;
Observer Countries: Bulgaria -
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -
Portugal -
Turkey -
Uruguay;
Permanent International Partners: Claims Conference –
CoE –
FRA –
OSCE/ODIHR –
UNESCO -
United Nations
Member Countries
Argentina
The Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires and
the Information Center of the United Nations in Argentina and Uruguay
will be hosting an event on 29 January to mark International Holocaust
Remembrance Day. During the event, the international poster exhibition
on the theme "Journeys through the Holocaust" will open.
Austria
The main Holocaust commemoration day in Austria is the 5th of May.
On 5th of May 1945 the Mauthausen concentration camp was liberated.
Another important day of remembrance in Austria is the 9th of November
(“Reichskristallnacht” -
http://www.parlament.gv.at/SERV/VER/NOVPOGR/) with a number of events.
This year on 27th of January 2014, there will be a big commemoration
event on Heldenplatz in Vienna, organized among others by the Jewish
Community of Vienna as a member of the platform “Jetzt Zeichen setzen!” A
lot of different organizations will take part in this big event (
http://www.jetztzeichensetzen.at/?page_id=743).
Some other, smaller events on the occasion of the International Day
of Commemoration to honor the victims of the Holocaust are for example:
- the President of the National Council, Barbara Prammer invites to the lecture “ERINNERUNG UND WANDEL”
of Aleida Assmann, which will take place in the Austrian Parliament
- the installation of a commemorative plaque in Vienna for Theodor Schreier, murdered 1943 in Theresienstadt
- a book presentation in Vienna: Heimat – Vielleicht. Kinder von Holocaustüberlebenden zwischen Deutschland und Israel
- Stadt Hohenems: film presentation „Akte Grueninger. Die Geschichte eines Grenzgängers“
- Klagenfurt: opening of the new memorial place in Platzgasse 3
Belgium
Monday, 27 January is the date set for the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
27 January 2014 will mark 69 years to the very day that the
Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp was liberated. As a symbol of the
Holocaust, this camp and so many others was the scene of several million
appalling deaths. No less than six million Jews along with Roma, Sinti,
political prisoners and homosexuals were systematically persecuted,
brutalised and murdered. This Day of Commemoration in memory of the
victims of the Holocaust is also intended to pay tribute to the memory
transmitted by the survivors. These people play a key role in educating
new generations in order to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.
Their stories must live on during the commemorations in order to
encourage people to remember and to prevent the suffering of millions of
men, women and children from becoming trivialised.
Pursuant to resolution 60/7 on Holocaust remembrance, adopted on 1
November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate
27 January of each year as the International Day of Commemoration in
memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The Belgian Federal Authorities
are fully engaged in this day of remembrance, which is acknowledged as
being an important reminder of the universal lessons of the Holocaust
and respect for the human rights of all people, irrespective of race,
sex, language or religion. From March 2012 - March 2013, Belgium held
its 12-month term presiding over the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance, an intergovernmental organisation whose members are committed
to the principles set out in the Stockholm Declaration. The Belgian
Presidency turned the international spotlight on the policies being
undertaken by the federal authorities and the federated entities to
facilitate remembrance, education and research focused on the Holocaust,
the promotion of human rights and combating any form of racism and
antisemitism.
The awful experience of the Holocaust has also taught us that even
during the darkest periods of our history, men and women in Belgium and
many other countries found the courage not to remain indifferent to the
injustice inflicted upon their fellow citizens. They bravely risked
their own lives to save many children, women and men. These righteous
people and these saviours had no intention of acting like heroes. They
were simply doing what they thought was perfectly normal: helping and
saving their fellow citizens.
Canada
Canadian governments (federal, provincial, and territorial)
acknowledge 27 January as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Non-governmental organizations across Canada will host events to mark
the day and a partial list is included below based on information
provided by Canadian organizations.
National Initiatives
This day will be marked with official statements by Canadian Minister
for Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, and by several
provincial/territorial premiers.
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB), in partnership with
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), is organizing an English
language
International Holocaust Remembrance Day Virtual Classroom
on January 27. A French language virtual classroom will follow on
February 4. These professional development events will help educators
discover new approaches to teaching about the Holocaust and its lessons
on human rights, racism, democratic values, citizenship and genocide.
During the virtual classrooms, which will run as live webcasts,
educators will interact with Holocaust experts. Information on
additional resources is available through the
CIC website.
Events Across Canada
In Toronto, the
Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre,
in partnership with the Esther Bem Memorial Fund the University of
Toronto’s Centre for Jewish Studies, will host an annual International
Holocaust Remembrance Day lecture on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 11:00
am at the Munk School for Global Affairs. The program will focus on the
moral, legal and historical dimensions of identifying the provenance of
art seized or stolen during the National Socialist period and
resolving the injustices caused by Nazi cultural policies. Walter
Stechel, Consul General of Germany in Toronto will deliver the keynote
address titled, “Degenerate and Looted: The Unfolding Case of the Munich
Art Trove”.
In addition, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is partnering with
the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre to offer workshops on the
Holocaust for newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener-Waterloo
and Peterborough, Ontario, which will take place in January and February
2014.
In Ottawa, the
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the
Tour for Humanity
mobile Tolerance Education Center on Parliament Hill at noon. In the
evening, they will host the Ottawa Premier of the Moriah Films
documentary, “The Prime Ministers” at the Canadian War Museum.
In Winnipeg, an Interfaith Concert – including a synagogue choir and
three church choirs – will be held at Westminster United Church on
January 26, 2014. The event is sponsored by the Ridd Institute for
Religion and Global Policy of the Global College, University of
Winnipeg,
The Azrieli Foundation, The Jewish Post and News,
The Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre and Westminster United Church.
The
Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, in partnership with
The Azrieli Foundation, will host the film premiere of
The Lady in Number 6 (subtitled in French). The screening will be followed by a discussion with the Director and Holocaust survivors.
The
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre will host a commemorative evening on January 27, 2014 at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre
. Louise
Stein Sorensen, a Holocaust survivor educator and outreach speaker will
share her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust, followed by
a memorial candle lighting by Holocaust Survivors in memory of those
who perished, and a reception and Exhibit Opening of Anne Frank A
History for Today at the VHEC.
Croatia
No information is available at this time.
Czech Republic
A remembrance meeting at the occasion of The Day of Commemoration in
Memory of Victims of the Holocaust and Prevention of Crimes Against
Humanity is organized for the 9th time on 27 January by the Federation
of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic and the Foundation For
Holocaust Victims in cooperation with the office of the Senate of the
Parliament of the Czech Republic. The meeting is held at the Main Hall
of the Senate under the auspices of Mr. Milan Štěch, President of the
Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic who will address the
guests at this meeting. Speeches will be this year given also by Ms.
Jaroslava Jermanová, the Vice-Chairperson of the Chamber of Deputies of
the Parliament of the Czech Republic, by Mr. Luděk Eliáš, survivor of
Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau, by the Director of the
Museum of Romani Culture in Brno, Ms. Jana Horvátová, and by Mr. Petr
Papoušek, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech
Republic. Piano concertos by Sergei Prokofiev and Franz List will be
performed by Czech pianist Božena Steinerová. Every year the survivors
of Nazi concentration camps, representatives of associations of former
Nazi prisoners (e. g. the Terezin Initiative, Historical Group
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Hidden Child etc.) attend this commemorative meeting
as well as the Archbishop of Prague, the Chief Rabbi of the Czech
Republic, Ambassadors and many other important personalities of
cultural, political and religious life.
An evening gala concert is held at the Spanish Synagogue in Prague
organized by the Jewish Museum in Prague and the Jewish Community of
Prague.
The Jewish Community of Olomouc, under the auspices of the President
of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic Mr. Petr
Papoušek, prepared an exhibition of posters from the international
competition “Keeping the Memory Alive, a joint project of the Yad
Vashem Museum (Israel), the European Shoa Legacy Institution (Czech
Republic), the London Jewish Cultural Center (GB), the Canadian
Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and The
Holocaust and United Nations Outreach Programme. Czech authors of the
posters will be present at this exhibition.
On this day remembrance events are also organized by Jewish
communities of Liberec, Jewish communities in Teplice, Jewish
communities in Ústí nad Labem and Jewish communities in Karlovy Vary,
mostly in cooperation with City Hall..
A commemorative meeting is also held in Prague at Clementinum organized by the Czech Union of Czech Freedom Fighters.
27 January International Holocaust Remembrance Day Events in Museum of Romani Culture, Brno, Czech Republic
On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day will
be in the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno presented the exhibition
called „Zapomenutá sousedství“ (Forgotten neighborhoods), created by
local non-governmental organisation Okrašlovací spolek pro Lomnici a
okolí from the town Lomnice. The exhibition provides access to
information about the persecution and genocide of the local Jews and
Roma in the former political district Tišnov during the WWII. The
exhibition consists of materials from the archives, historical photos
and other documents. The exhibition is in Czech and English language
version and will be presented in the Museum of Romani Culture until 7
March 2014.
Like every year the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno on the occasion
of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day will prepare on the 27th
of January the interactive educational program for the Czech youth
called „Šoa – porajmos – holocaust“ (Shoah - Porrajimos – Holocaust).
The program was developed in collaboration of the Museum of Roma Culture
and the Jewish Museum in Prague. The aim of the program for pupils and
students of primary and secondary schools is to obtain an overall
insight into the issue of the Holocaust. The unique combination of the
two institutions offers a view of World War II through the eyes of
Jewish and Roma victims. The pupils will receive an overview of the
important events of World War II, take on specific memories of the
victims and survivors and have the opportunity to meet with Jewish and
Roma survivors and listen to their life stories.
More information:
http://www.rommuz.cz/
https://www.facebook.com/muzeum.romske.kultury?fref=ts
Additional Information
Jewish Museum Commemoration Ceremony (in Czech)
Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Ceremony Program
“Keeping the Memory Alive” Poster Competition (in Czech)
Remembrance Event for the Children of the Theresienstadt Ghetto
Denmark
Auschwitz Day
In Denmark January 27th is marked as Auschwitz Day, a Day of
Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance. The day is dedicated to commemorate
the victims and support the survivors, to promote education and public
awareness about the Holocaust and other genocides.
This year Auschwitz Day is marked under the theme “Resistance” and
event and activities throughout the country will put a special focus to
resistance as a term, which actions that may fall under the category and
what motivates resistance on different levels.
In Denmark the activities relating to Auschwitz Day fall into two categories: Educational activities and commemorative events.
Educational activities
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, students in lower
and upper secondary education around the country are offered lectures
from experts and visits from survivors. Schools may also make special
visits to relevant museums and thus learn about the Holocaust and other
genocides. In the weeks and months leading up to January 27th several
thousands of students from across the country have made good use of
these opportunities. Please visit
www.auschwitz-dag.dk to learn more.
Commemorative events
On or around January 27th various remembrance activities aimed at the
public are organized by local authorities, universities, libraries,
museums, churches, private organizations, NGOs, etc.
Events in Copenhagen:
In Copenhagen the municipality invites attendees to the main commemorative event in the glass hall Theatre in Tivoli. (
http://www.kk.dk/da/brugbyen/find-arrangement/auschwitzdag) The program includes speeches, lightning of candles and music performance.
The Danish Institute for International Studies invites you to a
seminar marking the 65th anniversary of the genocide convention (
http://www.diis.dk/hjem/seminarer/2014/65+år+med+fns+folkedrabskonvention+muligheder+og+begrænsninger)
The main public library in Copenhagen invites you to a seminar (
https://bibliotek.kk.dk/biblioteker/hovedbiblioteket/event/landskaber-doedens-metropol
The Danish Jewish Museum invites you to a seminar looking at the relation between humor and Resistance (
http://jewmus.dk/aktuelt/visning/auschwitz-dag-2014/)
In addition to the listed activities in Copenhagen events and
initiatives related to Auschwitz Day will also take place in Elsinore,
Roskilde, Odense and Aarhus. Please visit the Auschwitz Day calendar and
learn more about different events across Denmark.
http://www.auschwitz-dag.dk/sw87118.asp
Estonia
On 27 January, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Estonia
will commemorate the victims of Holocaust and hold a ceremony at the
memorial of Klooga. Members of the Government and Diplomatic Corps, as
well as history and social education teachers will attend it.
The timetable is as follows:
9:45 Arrival at the memorial of Klooga
10:00–11:00 Placing wreaths, speeches by Prof Dr Jaak Aaviksoo,
Minister of Education and Research, Ms Alla Jakobson, Head of the Jewish
Community, and H.E.Mr Peter McIvor, Ambassador of Ireland to Estonia,
prayer by the Shmuel Kot, Chief Rabbi, visit of the memorial
11:00 End of the ceremony, return to Tallinn
After the memorial ceremony, at noon till 18:00, there will be a
seminar at the Jewish Community Centre for history and social education
teachers entitled “From the Past to the Future – A Story of a
Community”, which will be opened by the Minister of Culture, Ms Urve
Tiidus. After opening the seminar, the Minister will have an
introductory tour at the Jewish Community Centre and the Synagogue.
Finland
A symposium on the modern forms of hate speech and antisemitism and a
reception commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day are
being held by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Finnish
Holocaust Remembrance Association on January 27.
For more information, please
view the invitation.
France
On January 27th, the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of
the Victims of the Holocaust, the anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz
camp, many remembrance events will be organized throughout France. As
in previous years, educational and commemorative ceremonies will be held
in collaboration with local authorities and memorial sites.
The Shoah Memorial is coordinating a number of educational and
commemorative events across the country, with support from the Ministry
of Defense and the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War, in
partnership with the association
Œuvre Nationale du Bleuet de France
and several memorial sites linked to the persecution, internment,
deportation and extermination of French Jews. The sites concerned are as
follows:
• Maison d’Izieu Memorial, Ain;
• Camp de Gurs Memorial, Pyrénées-Atlantiques;
• Camp des Milles Memorial, Bouches-du-Rhône;
• Camp de Pithiviers Memorial, Loiret;
• Camp de Beaune-la-Rolande Memorial, Loiret;
• European Centre of Deported Resistance Members and Obernai Synagogue, Bas-Rhin;
• Camp de Rivesaltes Memorial, Pyrénées-Orientales;
• Shoah Memorial, Paris, Drancy (Seine-Saint-Denis) and Toulouse (Haute-Garonne);
• Town of Chambon-sur-Lignon, Haute-Loire;
• Montluc Prison Memorial, Rhône;
• Resistance and Deportation History Centre, Lyon;
• Internment and Deportation Memorial, Camp de Royallieu, Oise.
The full
program of events is available on the Shoah Memorial website and on the website of the
Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah.
Among these events, the Camp des Milles memorial museum, which was
inaugurated in September 2012 by the Prime Minister, is holding
a commemorative ceremony,
under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic,
François Hollande, at the Camp des Milles Wagon of Remembrance. The
attendance of numerous students as well as the unique reflection area
combining Memory and civic education, remind us how important is the
transmission of memory and values to new generations
The Ambassador at-large for Human Rights, in charge of Holocaust
issues, will be in Israel on 27 January, where she will attend a
ceremony held by the
Massuah Institute for Holocaust Studies. This visit falls within
France’s commitment
to preserve and pass on the memory of the Holocaust which constitutes,
along with the struggle against antisemitism, a fundamental component of
France’s diplomacy.
Germany
The German Bundestag’s Ceremony of Remembrance marking the Day of
Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism will be held on
Monday, 27 January 2014, beginning at 14:00, in the plenary chamber of
the Reichstag Building in Berlin. This year’s guest speaker is the
95-year-old Russian author Daniil Granin.
The Ceremony will be broadcast online at
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/index.html from 14.00 hrs and can also be watched on mobile devices.
Since June 2013 the sculpture of the International Auschwitz
Committee "to B Remembered" has been open to the public at
Wittenbergplatz in Berlin. The sculpture, developed by the French artist
Michele Deodat and produced by young Volkswagen trainees, refers to the
inscription above the main gate to Auschwitz I "ARBEIT MACHT FREI” and
the hidden message of the prisoners who turned the "B" in the word
"ARBEIT" secretly upside down.
Now the sculpture will leave Berlin for Brussels, where it will be
presented in front of the European Parliament. On the 30th of January
the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, together with
survivors and young people from different European countries, will
welcome the sculpture and the message of the survivors engraved in the
statue:
"RememBer: when injustices take place, when people are discriminated
against and persecuted- never remain indifferent. Indifference kills."
Greece
No information is available at this time.
Hungary
Statement by the President on the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp was liberated on 27th January 1945
by troops of the First Ukrainian Front. The United Nations Organization
declared this day International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Despite being several hundreds of kilometers from our country,
Auschwitz forms part of Hungarian history. This death camp was the site
of the inhuman suffering, humiliation and the death of close to half a
million of our compatriots.
Seventy years ago, following the German occupation of our country in
1944, the will of Hitler’s Nazi Germany seemed to be fulfilled by the
Nazi governors and the Hungarian state authorities collaborating with
them. Within barely half a year they mercilessly executed their program
of creating ghettos and deported the entire Hungarian Jewry living in
the countryside.
We shall never forget that in that tragic year seventy years ago, an
endless convoy of death trains left the Hungarian territories for Nazi
concentration camps. We shall never forget either that several hundreds
of thousands of our fellow citizens herded into ghettos would have also
suffered the same fate, had the war evolved according to the intents of
Hitler’s Germany and its Arrow Cross puppets.
The tragedy of Hungarian Jews is the pain and the irreplaceable loss of our entire political nation.
Therefore I call on Hungarian radios and televisions, asking them to
contribute within their means to help us observe 70 seconds of silent
mourning at 7 PM on 27th January 2014 in memory of our innocently slain
compatriots.
Let this silence be common mourning, the silence of the shared pain felt for our compatriots.
By honoring the hundreds of thousands of innocent children, elderly,
women and men let us express the unity and the resolve of our nation
that the citizens of the free and democratic Hungary will not identify
with any inhuman concept or ideology, nor with those, who committed
unredeemable sins against their fellow citizens in the name of the
Hungarian state during the course of our 20th century history.
I believe that the power of the shared silence of our silent respect
will help us recognize the good in each other and to condemn evil
together.
Áder János
President of the Republic of Hungary
Commemorative event of the Holocaust Memorial Center and the Hungarian Academy of Science
2014. January 27. 15:00 - 19:00
In 2005 the General Assembly of the UN declared 27 January, the day
when Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi extermination
camps had been liberated in 1945, as the International Holocaust
Remembrance Day. At this occasion, the Holocaust Memorial Center in
cooperation with the Hungarian Academy of Science will organize a
scientific commemorative meeting titled
Hungary in the Shadow of the Tragedy.
Opening of two periodic exhibitions will also take place on the day.
Exceptionally, on this Monday, the permanent exhibition will also be
open to the visitors.
PROGRAM
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm Greetings and Opening Addresses
Holocaust Remembrance Day Message by Orbán Viktor, Prime Minister
Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Public Administration
Musical Program: Ferenc Jávori
3:20 pm – 4:00 pm
Hungary in the Shadow of the Tragedy - Commemorative Session Part I
Opening by the chairman Dr. Pál Fodor, director, Hungarian Academy of Science, Research Center for the Humanities, Institute of History
LECTURES
Hungarian Royal Home Defense Forces until 1944 COL Dr. Vilmos Kovács, commandant, MoD Institute and Museum of Military History
Transylvania and the Holocaust Dr. Zoltán Tibori Szabó, professor, University Babes-Bolyai
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Opening of Exhibitions
Imre Holló Memorial Exhibition – Opening Dr. László Csorba, director, Hungarian National Museum;
Commemorative Address by Lajos Erdélyi, Survivor of Auschwitz, photographer
Ecclesiastical Rescuers Exhibition – Opening Dr. Szabolcs Szita, director, HDKE
Commemorative Address
István Makai, chairman, Roma Civic Association
Musical Program: Ferenc Molnár Caramel – Jelenés
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hungary in the Shadow of the Tragedy - Commemorative Session Part II
LECTURES
Social Circumstances of Roma in the First Half of the 20th Century. The Road to Holocaust Dr.
Ernő Kállai, scientific researcher, Hungarian Academy of Science,
Center for Social Sciences, Institute for Minority Studies
Catholics in the Spring of 1944 Dr. László Kiss-Rigó, bishop, the Diocese of Szeged-Csanád
Jews in the Spring of 1944 Dr. György Haraszti, chairman of the board, HDKE
Closing Remarks by Dr. Attila Pók, deputy director, Hungarian Academy of Science, Research Center for the Humanities, Institute of History
Musical Program: Ferenc Molnár Caramel – Nézz a tükörbe
6:00 pm
Homage and Commemoration at the Wall of the Victims
Prayers by Dr. Slomó Köves, chief rabbi of EMIH
O r g a n i s e r s
Bolyai-Babes University
Ferenc Gál College
Ministry of Defense, Institute and Museum of Military History
Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, Office of the Minister of State for Public Diplomacy and Relations
Hungarian National Museum
Hungarian Academy of Science, Research Center for the Humanities, Institute of History
National University of Public Service
Roma Civic Association
The Diocese of Szeged-Csanád
Lajos Erdélyi, Holocaust survivor, photographer; |
Ireland
The national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration always takes place
in Dublin on the last Sunday in January closest to 27 January. Other
events take place to coincide with International Holocaust Memorial Day
such special screenings, programmes and interviews on national
television and radio, exhibitions, and the annual Holocaust Memorial
Lecture which takes place in Trinity College Dublin approximately one
week later.
The national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration attracts an
audience of 700 people who come from all walks of Irish life. People
from Government, the Arts, media, academia, religious leaders,
ambassadors, First and Second Generation Holocaust survivors all attend.
The commemoration itself is a ceremony that is comprised of about 25
readings that include survivor recollections, extracts from the
historical milestones in the Holocaust narrative (Evian, Kristallnacht,
Ghettos, Wannsee, Murder, Liberation, Righteous etc). These readings
are drawn from historical sources, biographies, diaries and from
personal testimonies. Readers are come from all sectors of Irish
society. A copy of the programme is attached.
A
Scroll of Names is read by twelve teenage school students
from four different schools from around Ireland. The names on the
scroll include those who perished in the Holocaust who were cherished
family members of people living in Ireland. There are 187 names
currently on the list. One hundred school students attend the
commemoration.
All of the victims of the Holocaust are recalled at the
candle-lighting ceremony in which six candles are lit for the six
million Jews who perished as well as candles for all of the other victim
groups. The involvement of all of the victim groups is an inclusive
element of this ceremony and contributes to raising awareness of the
Holocaust. The national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Ireland
is a very dignified, moving occasion.
A special Holocaust Memorial Day booklet is produced by HETI for
Holocaust Memorial Day each year, which is a highly educational resource
used in schools and by the general public throughout the year. These
publications are available on line:
http://www.hetireland.org/
2014 is the 12th Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration to take place
in Dublin. People travel from all over the country to attend it and it
has maintained a full capacity audience of 700 persons every year. This
event contributes to Ireland's commitment as a member of IHRA by
raising awareness about the Holocaust on a national level.
The commemoration is generously supported by the Department of
Justice and Equality, Dublin City Council, Dublin Maccabi Charitable
Trust, Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, Sisters of Sion and the
Council for Christians and Jews.
Press coverage of the event is available via this
link and
document.
Israel
23.1
Next Generations Conference marking International Holocaust
Remembrance Day - "Dorot- Next Generations to Holocaust and Heroism"
organization are holding a conference in conjunction with the Ministry
of Senior Citizens and Yad Vashem at ZOA House, Tel Aviv. The conference
will be attended by the Minister of Senior Citizens, Uri Orbach,
Knesset Speaker Mr. Yuli Edelstein, Yad Vashem Chairman of the Board
Rabbi Meir Lau, and Director of the Yad Vashem Archives Dr. Haim
Gertner.
26.1
Official Government Meeting to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 10:00
On Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10:00 in the Hall of Names Yad Vashem
will be presented a Certificate of Recognition by UNESCO marking the
inclusion of the Pages of Testimony Memorial Collection in the UNESCO
Memory of the World Register.
Taking place in advance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day,
the presentation will begin in the Hall of Names on the Mount of
Remembrance during which Dr. Dalit Atrakchi, Secretary General of the
Israeli Commission for UNESCO will present Yad Vashem Chairman Avner
Shalev and Dr. Alexander Avram, Director of the Hall of Names at Yad
Vashem with the Certificate of Recognition. Addresses in the Yad Vashem
Synagogue will be made following the presentation of the certificate.
“For many Holocaust survivors and their families, Pages of Testimony
are the only tangible evidence that their murdered loved ones once
lived,” said Avner Shalev, Chairman of Yad Vashem. “The Nazis and their
collaborators strove to murder each and every Jewish man, woman and
child and to erase any vestige of their existence. These pages,
together with information gathered from around the world as part of our
names recovery efforts, restore to them their names – their identities.
We will continue our efforts to bring the names and identities of the
victims back from oblivion as long as we are able to do so. I urge
anyone who has not yet submitted Pages of Testimony to do so now.”
Pages of Testimony are specially designed forms filled out in memory
of Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Yad Vashem, which literally means ‘a
memorial and a name’, has for the past 6 decades been working to
recover the names and identities of the 6 million Jews murdered in the
Holocaust. Since 1954, Yad Vashem has been collecting Pages of Testimony
from Holocaust survivors and those who remember the victims, so far
documenting 2.6 million names on Pages of Testimony. Together with other
documentation Yad Vashem has thus far identified by name 4.3 million
out of the 6 million victims. The Pages of Testimony Memorial Collection
is housed in the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem and has no precedent in
history in both its dimensions and its intent to preserve the names as
symbols of the victims' humanity.
Pages of Testimony are available in some 12 languages, and continue
to be filled out by friends and family of the victims, as Yad Vashem
continues the historic effort to record the names of the victims. The
entire collection has been uploaded to the Yad Vashem website as part of
the
Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names and is available in English, Hebrew, Russian, German and Spanish.
UNESCO's Memory of the World Program raises to a global level the
awareness and the imperative of preservation of, and access to, unique
and irreplaceable documentary heritage in various parts of the world.
The Memory of the World Register, founded in 1995, includes so far only
299 items worldwide endorsed by the Director-General of UNESCO.
27.1
- Largest ever
Israeli Government Delegation to hold unprecedented International Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony in Auschwitz, Poland.
55 MKs, 6 Ministers, 24 Holocaust survivors, State Comptroller Joseph
Shapira, Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, Chief Rabbi David
Lau, Yad Vashem Chairman and IHRA Co-HoD Avner Shalev and some 250 other
public figures are scheduled to arrive in Poland on January 27, 2014 –
Holocaust Remembrance Day – for a one-day visit.
The largest delegation of MKs to be sent since the Israeli parliament`s
establishment will be headed by Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein and visit
the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp while also holding an
inter-parliamentary meeting titled, ”Reflections on Auschwitz:
Remembering the past, looking to the future.”
- Official International Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony to be held at
"Massuah"
.
Featured speakers: Prof. Yitzchak Kashti, Chairman; Ambassador Gideon
Meir, MFA; MK Moshe Yaalon, Minister of Defence; Prof. Shlomo Breznitz,
Haifa University; H.E. Dave Sharma, Australian Ambassador to Israel. To
be followed by opening of exhibit "Jan Karski- Humanity's Hero", 10:00
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony for Italian Nationals, Hall of Remembrance, Yad Vashem, 12:00
- "Keeping The Memory Alive" Poster Exhibition opening and ceremony, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem
- Cultural Program
"Westerbork Seranade"
to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Ghetto Fighter's
House, 17:00 Speakers: Ambassador Caspar Veldkamp of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands; Mr. Ophir Pines-Paz, Chairman, Dr. Anat Livne, CEO
- Yad Vashem will be running the virtual memorial
"I Remember" Wall on Facebook, as in previous years.
- Multiple film Screenings and Lectures marking the day will be held across the country.
- Additionally, Yad Vashem staff members will participate in
conferences, seminars, exhibitions, ceremonies, lectures, and government
meetings around the world to mark January 27th- including South Africa,
Singapore, Vietnam, Ghana, Senegal, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Croatia,
Denmark, Moldova, at UNESCO in France, Austria, Lichtenstein, the UK,
Germany, Venezuala and Canada. Some of these trips are carried out in
cooperation of the Combatting Antisemitism unit of the Israel Ministry
of Foreign Affairs.
Italy
View a chart of the commemoration events taking place in Italy in 2014.
Latvia
No information is available at this time.
Lithuania
1. The Tolerance Centre of Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum in
cooperation with the Embassy of Austria and International Commission for
the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in
Lithuania on 23rd January 2014 will organize an event for the
International Day of Commemoration in honor of the victims of the
Holocaust. The demonstration of the documentary film “Call me the Jew”
(by Austria, Israel) will take place at the event.
2. Poster exhibition "Keeping The Memory Alive" on the theme of
Holocaust will be on the display in the Tolerance Center from the 23rd
of January. For more information visit:
www.jmuseum.lt
3. The International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of
the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania organizes the
following commemorative events on the International Day of Commemoration
in Honor of the Victims of the Holocaust :
- The traditional national conference for teachers and students for
the fourth year in a row will be held in Radviliskis Vaizgantas
Progymnasium on 27th January. This year the conference participants are
going to present different student creations such as: video films,
performances, pageant plays. The topics addressed in the creations: the
Holocaust in Lithuania and in Europe; the history of the Jews in
Lithuania; famous Lithuanian Jews and their destiny; rescuers of Jews
during the Holocaust. More than 250 teachers and students from different
schools of Lithuania are expected to participate in the commemoration.
- On the International Day of Commemoration in Honor of the Victims of
the Holocaust a large number of schools will organize special lessons
on the Holocaust, watch films, have discussions, meetings with the
survivors and Jewish community members (exact numbers of the events will
be reported after the 27th of January).
- As each year on January 27th school teachers will organize different
educational activities. The most active are the schools which have The
Tolerance Education Centres, established by the initiative of the
International Commission ten years ago. Currently there is a network of
93 active Tolerance Education Centres. One of them is Radviliskis
Vaizgantas Progymnasium Tolerance Education Centre which hosts the
national conference for teachers and students annually.
4. In Petrasiunai (district of Kaunas) on January 27th on the
occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Honour of the
Victims of the Holocaust the memorial (stela) for commemoration of the
victims killed on 31st of August 1941 will be unveiled. 125 Jews were
murdered by Nazis and their local collaborators in Petrasiunai on that
day: 23 children, 72 women and 30 men were among the victims.
Luxembourg
A commemoration will take place near the railway station of Luxembourg-Hollerich at the Deportation memorial.
It is organized by the Prime Minister’s office, Centre de
Documentation et de Recherche sur l’Enrôlement force, together with the
Consistoire israélite. The Grand Rabbi will be attending together with
representatives from other religious communities in Luxembourg.
Representatives from the different political parties will attend.
It was in Strasbourg on 18th October 2002, that the assembly of the
European Ministers of Education came back to a decision taken in
Cracovia in October 2000 by the Permanent Conference of the European
Education Ministers, as to organize a “Journée de la Mémoire, de
l’Holocauste et de la prévention des crimes contre l’humanité.” After
having considered the national practices and priorities, the date of the
10th October was accepted and retained, date of the anniversary of the
1941 referendum and “Journée de la Commémoration nationale”. The first
“Journée de la Mémoire” got organized in 2003 and turned out to be a
great success in general and technical secondary schools. Primary
education was also involved in the initiative.
The date of commemoration, fixed on 10th October, however, was
reported to the 27th January in accordance with a decision taken by the
UN in November 2005 (42 plenary session). So schools will organize the
“Day of remembrance of the Holocaust and prevention of crimes against
humanity” on 27th January from 2007 onwards.
On and around this day schools organized film presentations,
exhibitions, and conferences with survivors. Visits of memorials or
historic sites, or trips to concentration camps such as Auschwitz,
Bergen-Belsen and Natzweiler-Struthof take place all over the school
year.
As the previous years, the “Journée de la Mémoire” is organized by
the person in charge of this dossier at the Ministry of Education. An
event will take place on January 29th, 2014 on a national level in
cooperation with the Memorial de la Shoah in Paris. The activities
involve pupils of various secondary schools together with their
teachers. This year the title of the activities is “Sport, sportifs et
Jeux Olympiques dans l’Europe en guerre (1936-1948)”.
The Minister of Education addresses an invitation to the other
members of the Government, to the delegates of the various commissions
of the National Parliament, to the patriotic organizations and to people
in the economic domain and different associations.
There is no website relative to the Commemoration of the 27th January.
Netherlands
No information is available at this time.
Norway
2014 is the 200th anniversary celebration of Norway's constitution.
Amongst many events during the year, The International Holocaust Day is
one of the official events during this important year for all
Norwegians. The reason for this is that the Paragraph 2 in the
Constitution at that time stated that Jews and Jesuits were not admitted
into the country.
This coming January 27th, the Norwegian King Harald will attend the ceremony (see the
enclosed program).
Background
Since 2002 the Holocaust Center has taken the responsibility - upon
request from the Government - to organize the official Norwegian
Memorial Day every year on January 27th.
The Memorial event always takes place at the Memorial to the deported
Norwegian Jews. The program consists of a speech by one of the members
of the Parliament, representatives of the Norwegian Jews and other
groups who were killed or suffered during the Holocaust. Norwegian
Jewish school children lit torches in commemoration of all the children
who perished, and there are usually one or two artistic performances -
either a song, a musical piece or a poem. The memorial event usually
ends with the Jewish cantor at the synagogue singing the Kaddish.
Present at this ceremony and at the event which follows, are
survivors, members of the Jewish community and the other participating
groups, politicians, many ambassadors, representatives from many
organizations, the general public and media - television, radio and
newspapers. The coverage has been extraordinary broad and informative -
before, during and after the Holocaust Day.
Year by year the importance of The International Day has grown in
importance. A few years ago we realized that most Norwegian calendars
now mention this day – which really proves to which extent this memorial
day has become an important part of the Norwegian culture - honoring
the Norwegian Jews and the other groups who suffered during the second
World War.
For many years there have been memorial events in several other towns
in Norway as well - see the link below which gives information about
some of them. Likewise many schools around the country have organized
speeches or other ways of informing the children about this day.
Recently the new Norwegian government suggested to incorporate the
International Holocaust Day into all Norwegian schools' curriculum -
which will mean that it then will become an even more important national
event.
http://holocaustdagen.no/
Poland
No information is available at this time.
Romania
- 19-21 January 2014 - President Traian Basescu was on official visit
to Israel. On 20 January 2014, in the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, the
following declaration was signed between the Presidential Administration
and the Yad Vashem Institute:
Declaration
Bearing in mind that the Holocaust challenged the foundations of
human civilization and recalling our responsibility to fight the evils
of xenophobia, racism and anti-Semitism,
Being fully aware of our obligations and responsibilities under
international law including human rights and international humanitarian
law,
Reaffirming Romania’s strong commitment to effectively
implementing the recommendations of the International Commission on the
Holocaust in Romania,
Being fully committed to doing our utmost for the prevention of
recurring tendencies of racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, negative
attitudes and behaviors, and to renewing our cooperation on education,
research and remembrance of the Holocaust in order to build a more
secure future for us all,
Reiterating that we must not wait for the number of victims of intolerance to reach extensive proportions in order to react,
Anticipating Romania’s assuming the Chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016,
To this end we reaffirm and declare,
Our mutual commitment to optimally utilizing all existing tools
and to developing practical mechanisms to monitor xenophobic threats and
to implementing the recommendations of the International Commission on
the Holocaust in Romania.
Our commitment to educating the youth and the wider public
against menaces of all kinds of discrimination through formal and
informal educational structures; to disseminating knowledge of these
matters to those involved in government, non-governmental organizations,
and the media; as well as to encouraging measures to mobilize civil
society for Holocaust remembrance and education.
Our pledge to cooperate in our search for effective measures
against discrimination with all members of the family of nations, in the
relevant global and regional organizations as well as with
non-governmental organizations, the media and with business and academic
communities.
Our dedication to raising awareness among the newest political
generations and civil servants in the national and local administration
with respect to their responsibility to fight all forms of
discrimination, especially those rooted in the reverberating Holocaust
tragedy.
Our strong commitment to monitor and respond to the rise of
Holocaust denial and combating the trivialization or relativization of
the Holocaust, while encouraging political and public opinion leaders to
stand up against such phenomena.
Our encouragement of a coherent and more effective approach to ensuring and extending access to relevant archives.
Our commitment to extending the education about the Holocaust in
the curricula of our public education system and to encouraging the
funding for the training of teachers and the development or procurement
of the resources and materials required for such education.
Our commitment to including human rights education in the
curricula of our educational system, believing strongly that
international human rights law reflects important lessons from history,
and that respect for human rights is essential to confronting and
preventing all forms of racial, religious or ethnic discrimination,
including anti-Semitism, Anti-Roma and anti-Sinti sentiment.
Romania’s pledge to continue commemoration of its National Day of
Romanian Holocaust, October 9th, including preservation of national
memorials and other sites of memory and martyrdom. Romania’s commitment
to Holocaust remembrance is inspired by its existing Holocaust Museum
Monument, a crucial indicator and a recognition of this reverberating
tragedy, acknowledging the responsibility of the perpetrators and
ensuring concern and compassion for the survivors.
Our support for building upon the present consensus at the level
of authorities and civil society in Romania in setting up the project of
a Museum presenting the history of Jewish heritage in Romania and of
the Holocaust.
Our resolve to continue cooperation with "Ellie Wiesel" National
Institute for the Study of Holocaust in Romania and other relevant
Romanian or international institutes in order to gain broad support of
appropriate remembrance efforts to record and preserve for posterity the
testimony of the crimes committed and the humanitarian acts to the
memory and warning for generations to come;
Our joint support for the work of the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), in anticipation of Romania’s assuming the
Chairmanship of the IHRA in 2016, emphasizing Israel’s pledge to assist
that Chairmanship’s priorities to the IHRA: working with the media,
consolidation of Holocaust education in member countries and beyond, promotion of academic research of Holocaust history and its aftermath.
Signed today, 20th of January 2014, in Jerusalem, in two copies, in English
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be issuing a press release with the following text:
On the 27th of January we bring homage to the memory of the
Holocaust victims all over the world and we underline the significant
efforts that Romania has made in the last interval of time in terms of
assuming the past, condemning Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism.
These were and will continue to be commitments strictly followed
by the Romanian authorities. The unveiling, in 2009, in Bucharest of
the Holocaust memorial represents an important indicator of the steps
Romania has undergone towards recognizing the Holocaust tragedy, acknowledging the responsibility of the perpetrators and ensuring the protection of the survivors.
In October 2013, Romania has presented, at the IHRA
(International Holocaust and Remembrance Alliance) Plenary reunion in
Toronto, its intention to take over the Chairmanship of this
organisation in 2016. The general priorities of the Romanian
Chairmanship include the consolidation of Holocaust education in
participating states, the promotion of academic research on Holocaust
history and of the cooperation between participating states in this
field, the promotion of values such as combating anti-Semitism,
xenophobia and racism through media partnership.
During the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Israel in
December 2013, these commitments were reaffirmed along with the
reiteration of the role of future cooperation with the national
Institute for the Study of the Holocaust „Elie Wiesel”, other internal
(Ministry of Education) or international institutions (Yad Vashem
Institute) on Holocaust remembrance and on the developing of educational
projects in this field as well as in the field of combating
anti-Semitism and discrimination.
We welcome the progress made in the recent years and the development by numerous
academic centres of a multitude of programmes of study on the
Holocaust, and we are grateful to the Israeli community originating from
Romania that has supported and made these developments possible.
These are essential components of the Romanian spiritual
patrimony, whose preservation and continuity would not be possible
without the historical and cultural support of the Romanian Jewish
community.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will launch, on the 28th of January 2014, Constantin Karadja’s book “
The diplomatic and consular manual”, followed by the opening of the exhibition of diplomatic documents entitled “
Constantin I. Karadja in the history of Romanian diplomacy”.
The diplomat Constantin I. Karadja( 1889-1950) was Romania’s
candidate to the Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg prize in 2013,
awarded to personalities that have made a significant contribution to
the rescue of Jews from Budapest, in 1944-1945, and was shortlisted for
the prize. Romania has submitted the candidacy of to be awarded this
distinction
in memoriam.
While acting as Romanian consul in Berlin and director of the
Consular Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Romanian
diplomat contributed to the return to Romania of 600 Jews from France
and 51,537 Jews from Hungary, between 1931-1941 and 1941-1944, and thus
precluded them from being deported to the concentration camps of
Auschwitz-Birkenau.
- The Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania will organize, on
the 22nd of January 2014, an ample event in commemoration of the pogrom
carried out by the legionnaires in Bucharest on 21st – 23rd January
1941. The program includes the laying of wreaths in the Jewish cemetery
in Bucharest and a seminar.
- The Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study
of the Holocaust in Romania will organize a series of events on the 27th
of January:
- The launching of Adrian Nicolae Furtuna’s book “The true story of the Roma Holocaust. The Roma deportation to Trandniestria: testimonies, studies, documents,” a collection of numerous testimonies of the Roma Holocaust survivors, as well documents and studies on this topic;
- The exhibition “How was the Jewish Holocaust possible in Romania?”;
15 painters who participated in the workshop co-organized by Yad Vashem
together with the Elie Wiesel Institute in 2013 will exhibit their
works in the Bucharest Center of Visual Arts for 2 weeks;
- On the 16th – 24th of January the Institute will organize in
partnership with the Bucharest National University of Arts a workshop on
“The memory of the Holocaust in Romania”. Fourty first year
university students will participate in this workshop that comprises
seminars and meetings with researchers and historians in this field and
Holocaust survivors as well as a creation training (photo below)
View a complete chart of the commemoration events taking place in Romania in 2014.
Serbia
Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy, competent authority
of the Government of Serbia, responsible for the protection of military
memorials and execution sites, as well as for the preservation of a
dignified remembrance of the participants and victims of armed conflicts
in the past, will mark the 69th anniversary of the liberation of the
death camps in Auschwitz (January 27) as following: a state
commemoration ceremony of paying the highest state and military honors,
wreath laying and addressing of the President of the Republic of Serbia,
Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, to the audience. The ceremony will take place at
the monument to the victims of genocide in the Second World War, in the
complex of the former death camp "Staro sajmiste" in New Belgrade, on 27
January 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
In addition to the President, the commemoration ceremony will be
attended by ministers and members of the Serbian government,
representatives of the City of Belgrade, the survivors of the Holocaust,
the representatives of the Association of Jewish Communities of Serbia,
the Roma communities, the descendants of the victims, representatives
of the diplomatic corps, numerous associations and citizens.
The same day, in the gallery of the Historical Archive of Belgrade,
there will be an exhibition under the name of "Belgrade Jews: Life and
the Holocaust." The exhibition will be followed by the publication of a
remembrance book called the "Pomenik". In the
Pomenik there are
the names and basic information on 335 victims of whom for 161 of them
there is no data in other historical sources. Before us, there are again
members of the community doomed to complete disappearance, persons with
their names, date of birth, address, occupation, family members, date
of death. The
Pomenik represents a victory over the planned
oblivion; with it, the identity of a significant number of members of
the Jewish community of Belgrade was restored. Due to the
Pomenik, they have returned to their city and to our collective memory.
Due to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development,
on the 24 January 2014, in all primary and secondary schools in the
Republic of Serbia there will be held traditional educational programs
(classes, exhibitions, workshops, etc.) dedicated to the tragic
historical phenomenon of the Holocaust.
The need to repeatedly remind about of the horrors of the Holocaust,
as well as to reject as untrue the allegations that deny its character
and the extent of suffering is present in all democratic countries. The
necessity of knowing the facts and considering the horrific consequences
of the Holocaust will contribute that in Serbia, as well as in other
democratic countries, the mass killing of Jews during the Second World
War will be perceived in the future as what its character and the scope
is - one of the greatest crimes against humanity in the history.
Slovakia
No information is available at this time.
Slovenia
View a chart of the commemoration events taking place in Slovenia in 2014.
Spain
No information is available at this time.
Sweden
All around the country of Sweden the day of the liberation of
Auschwitz, the 27th of January, is commemorated. In several places
around the country manifestations, seminars, educational projects, and
commemoration events are arranged. The Living History Forum has a
central role, as it has had for many years, in different ways
stimulating and assisting the different organizers. Every year the Forum
provide those who seeks a specific content of the arrangement with a
theme for the memorial day and presents appropriate back ground material
for it on the webb.
The theme of 2014 Memorial Day
The theme of this year’s memorial day is the fate of the Romani
people during the time of the Holocaust. This year 70 years has passed
since the
Zigeuner Nacht in Auschwitz. This was the night when
all the still-alive Romani imprisoned in this part of the concentrations
camp were killed. The Living History Forum has decided to dedicate this
year’s memorial day to the commemoration of the Romani people, an
almost forgotten victim group of the Nazi terror and persecutions.
Exhibition
The Living History Forum has produced an exhibition focusing on the
Romani people during the time of the Holocaust. On the 27th of January
this exhibition will be on view in Stockholm as well as in the cities of
Karlstad, Borås, Västerås, Luleå och Göteborg. In Stockholm it is shown
in the center of Stockholm on the Raoul Wallenberg square in connection
with the annual official commemoration ceremony arranged on the 27th of
January.
Umeå
In the city of Umeå, which has been appointed European Capital of
Culture 2014, the Living History Forum, in partnership with the
municipality of Umeå, has produced a specific program for all students
of the ninth grade, during which the Holocaust Memorial Day will be in
focus. Through films and different workshops with the Holocaust as its
starting point, the students will work with issues related to the equal
value of each and every human being, awareness of the importance of
democracy and tolerance.
Switzerland
On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the
President of the Swiss Confederation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier
Burkhalter, delivers a
written message. He also makes a
statement
in his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe, urging OSCE participating States to
step up their efforts to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of
intolerance, and to raise awareness of the tragedy of the Holocaust,
especially among young people.
On 28 January 2014, the President of the Swiss Confederation visits
the Auschwitz Memorial Site and Museum. Last year, Switzerland has
provided the perpetual fund for the preservation of the Memorial Site
with 1 million Euros.
Several activities or ceremonies are also organized in some cantons
and schools. In Geneva the topic chosen is how Switzerland has been
dealing with the Holocaust, whereas the memory of the Arameans is
commemorated in Ticino. With Swiss and other supports, a ceremony is
organized at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
United Kingdom
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Holocaust Memorial Day has taken place in the UK since 2001. Since 2005 the
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
has coordinated and promoted HMD in the UK. HMDT is a charity set up by
the UK Government and funded by its Department for Communities &
Local Government. In the UK, Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the
Holocaust, those who suffered under Nazi persecution, and in subsequent
genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
HMDT organises the UK national commemoration event for HMD, as well
as promoting and supporting activities and projects in local
communities, schools and other educational institutions. HMDT reaches
tens of thousands of people. Over 2,000 activities took place across
the UK for HMD 2013, with a fifth of these activities having audiences
of more than 500 people. The HMD 2013 film
Lessons Learnt was watched by over 85,000 people, and 2,758 people made an online pledge.
Theme for HMD 2014
The theme for UK Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 is
Journeys.
The theme reminds us that the Holocaust, and subsequent genocides,
were characterised by forced journeys. On HMD 2014 we can learn how
journeys themselves became part of genocide, and how the journeys
undertaken were often experiences of persecution and terror for so many
people who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in
subsequent genocides. We can also learn about the life stories of
journeys that brought survivors to the UK.
UK Commemoration Event
HMDT organises the annual HMD commemoration event for the UK. This is
a formal ceremony, providing a national focus for HMD. The
commemorative ceremony for HMD 2014 includes candle lightings,
survivors’ testimony, music, prayer, speeches, and exhibitions.
Participants in the ceremony will include Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi
of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; Rt Hon Eric
Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government;
and Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition. Similar events
will be held in the devolved nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland) and Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron MP will be marking HMD
shortly after the UK ceremony.
UK Public Event
HMDT is also organising a short public event for the 27 January. To reflect the 2014 theme
Journeys,
it will be held Kings Cross railway station in central London, which is
one of Britain’s biggest transport hubs. It will provide an
opportunity for engagement with the media and the public, with both a
government minister and a Holocaust survivor in attendance. There will
be a short commemoration, candle lighting, and the chance to connect
with those travelling through the railway station, asking them to pledge
to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
Activities across the UK
HMDT’s role includes providing support to local event organisers in
commemorating HMD. In 2013 over 2,000 commemoration activities took
place in the UK for HMD. HMDT produces a
Activity pack for event organisers, and its website contains a wealth of
resources and advice.
Activities included classroom activities, exhibitions, civic
ceremonies, speaker events, readings, performing arts, tree plantings
and film screenings.
Online activity
HMDT is asking people to take part in an
online action
– to pledge to ‘take a step’ to commemorate HMD. HMDT has also
commissioned a short film for HMD 2014. It will follow the theme of
Journeys and feature stories from survivors of genocide. Over 85,000 people watched the online film for HMD 2013.
The Anne Frank Trust UK
The Anne Frank Trust has several copies of the exhibition Anne Frank,
A History for Today which visits secondary schools and prisons, where
students and prisoners are trained to be peer educators. A range of
activities and workshops accompany the exhibitions.
It also has two touring exhibitions for public viewing, the larger
exhibition Anne Frank and You and the photographic exhibition Anne Frank
and Family.
For further information please see
www.annefrank.org.uk
London
The Anne Frank Trust will be holding their annual lunch to mark
Holocaust Memorial Day for London’s business community. Speakers will
include BBC Director of News James Harding and Liliane Umubyeyi,
survivor of the Rwandan genocide. The Anne Frank Award for Moral
Courage will be awarded to Malala Yousafzai, and will be accepted by her
father Ziauddin Yousafzai.
The Trust is holding the exhibition Anne Frank, A History for Today
at Acton High School in west London, with students being trained as peer
guides.
Her Majesty’s Prison Ford
Ford Open Prison has especially requested the Anne Frank, A History
for Today exhibition for one week to coincide with Holocaust Memorial
Day. Prisoners are being trained to act as exhibition peer guides.
North East England Region
Grace Dunne, Anne Frank Trust North East Region Manager, will be at
Teesside University for their Holocaust Memorial Day event on Monday
27th. Anne Frank: A History for Today will be on display and university
students will be trained as peer guides.
http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/whats_on/events_details.cfm?event_id=6069
Grace Dunne will also be attending Newcastle's civic event on Sunday 26th.
From 20th - 31st January, the Anne Frank: A History for Today
exhibition will be at Biddick Academy in Sunderland and form part of
their week-long HMD programme, which involves all year groups hearing
from speakers including Rwandan Genocide survivor Ali Hassan and
Holocaust survivors Sylvia Hurst, George Lobel MBE and Dr Martin Stern.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10949201.Experts_gather_to_mark_Holocaust_Memorial_Day/?ref=var_0
East of England Region
Val Ross, Anne Frank Trust East of England Region Manager, will be
guest speaker at the Huntingdonshire District Council HMD event on 27
January at 7:00pm.
The Trust will be showing their Anne Frank and Family photographic exhibition at the Forum in Norwich. Open to the public.
http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/events/anne-frank-and-family
The larger exhibition Anne Frank and You will be on show at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire from 4 – 27 February.
Yorkshire and Humberside Region
The Trust is holding the exhibition Anne Frank, A History for Today
at Laisterdyke College in Bradford, where students will be trained to be
exhibition peer guides.
Scotland
The Trust will have copies of the exhibition Anne Frank, A History
for Today at Castlemilk High School in Glasgow and Braes High School in
Falkirk during the week commencing 27th January, with HMD related
activities and workshops. Students at both schools will be trained as
exhibition peer guides.
Guernsey, Channel Islands
The Trust is holding a three month tour of the exhibition Anne Frank,
A History for Today in Guernsey secondary schools. Students are being
trained as exhibition peer guides.
The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR)
The Association of Jewish Refugees’ Holocaust Memorial Day event will
be on Tuesday 28 January 2014 at Belsize Square Synagogue, 51 Belsize
Square, London, NW3 4HX.
The theme for HMD 2014 is 'Journeys’ and the AJR is very honored that
the guest speaker will be Allan Noel-Baker, the grandson of Philip
Noel-Baker, the MP who instigated the famous debate in Parliament of 21
November 1938 called in response to Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom that
took place on 9 and 10 November 1938 throughout Germany and Austria. The
debate concluded with the decision to create the Kindertransport
through which some 10,000, mostly Jewish, children aged between 3-17
found refuge in Britain.
Rabbi Stuart Altshuler will lead the service, during which AJR
members will light memorial candles and Kaddish will be recited. As well
as AJR members we would be especially delighted to welcome the children
and grandchildren of Holocaust refugees and survivors.
For those interested in seeing the service but unable to attend, the
AJR is delighted that internet viewers can stream the service through
the Belsize Square Synagogue website
www.synagogue.org.uk – just click on the yellow BelsizeLIVE button at the top of the homepage.
University College London
UCL’s free public Lunch Hour Lectures on Tuesday 28 January is
entitled “Oblivion and memorialisation: The legacies of Nazi persecution
in Europe.”
The lecture is free and open to all on a first-come first-served
basis and require no pre-booking. Lectures can also be watched live
online at
www.ucl.ac.uk/lhl/streamed or after the event at theYouTube channel
www.youtube.com/UCLLHL.
Date: Tuesday 28 January, 1.15pm - 1.55pm
Venue:
The Darwin Lecture Theatre, access via Malet Place, University College London, WC1E 6BT
Title:
Oblivion and memorialisation: The legacies of Nazi persecution in Europe
Lecturer: Professor Mary Fulbrook, UCL German
Summary: Holocaust remembrance has attained an ever-greater place in
the consciousness of people across Europe and around the world. But
memorialization inevitably entails a selective focus and is accompanied
by a marginalization and even erasure of other traces of a disturbing
past. This lecture explores some of the diverse and complex legacies of
Nazi persecution.
United States
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's annual commemoration of
International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD) will take place
on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 11:00 am in the Museum’s Hall of
Remembrance. Ambassadors and other diplomats from embassies accredited
to the United States have been invited to attend. In addition to remarks
by Holocaust survivor Nesse Godin and a prayer of remembrance, the
commemoration will feature brief remarks by Holocaust Museum director
Sara Bloomfield, a moment of silence, a musical interlude of by a string
quartet and a special ceremony in which invited ambassadors will light a
candle of remembrance with a Holocaust survivor.
Monday, January 27, 2014
The Path to Nazi Genocide
A 38 minute FILM will be screened on the half-hour (beginning at
10:30am) throughout the day in the Museum's Helena Rubinstein auditorium
Produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, this new
resource examines the Nazis’ rise and consolidation of power in Germany,
explores their ideology, propaganda, and persecution of Jews and other
victims. Using rarely seen and amateur footage and Museum collections,
the film outlines the path by which the Nazis and their collaborators
led a state to war and to the murder of millions of people. Providing a
concise overview of the Holocaust and those involved, this resource is
intended to provoke reflection and discussion about the role of ordinary
people, institutions, and nations between 1918 and 1945.
Visit with Holocaust Survivors
Visitors to the Museum on January 27th can speak with Holocaust
survivors and ask questions about their experiences (Membership Desk,
from 11 AM - 4 PM)
Names Reading Ceremony
Hall of Remembrance from 11 AM unitl 4:30 PM.
Visitors to the Museum are invited to participate in the ceremony,
which involves reading aloud the names of victims of the Holocaust.
Lists of names will be available in the Hall of Remembrance, or
participants can read your own list of Holocaust victims. The
allotted reading time is five minutes, with additional time available
contingent upon the lines.
Monday, January 27, 2014, in Boca Raton, Florida
At its annual South Florida luncheon, the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum will commemorate IHRD with remarks by Judge Thomas
Buergenthal, a former justice on the International Court of Justice in
The Hague and a child survivor of Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Observer Countries
Bulgaria
No information is available at this time.
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
No information is available at this time.
Portugal
On the 27th the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue a statement.
Because the date falls on a Monday when Members of Parliament are
visiting their constituencies, the special session at the Parliament
will be postponed to the 29th of January.
This commemorative session will take place right after the
adjournment of the plenary session at 7.00pm, and it will include an
exhibition by students from a secondary level school and a movie. It is
being prepared by the office of the Speaker in collaboration with
Memoshoá, an organization of the civil society.
Turkey
No information is available at this time.
Uruguay
No information is available at this time.
Permanent International Partners
Claims Conference
No information is available at this time.
Council of Europe
Sunday 26 January
Women’s role in the Resistance
A personal account by a survivor, performance of a play, exhibitions of
portraits of women and musical interludes are on the programme during
this event, jointly organised by the European Centre which commemorates
deported Resistance members and the Council of Europe.
European Youth Centre
30 rue Pierre de Coubertin - Strasbourg
Sunday 26 January from 2 to 6 pm
Programme (french)
Monday 27 January
Screening of creative documentary ''KARUSSEL'' in presence of the film’s director, Ilona Ziok, who will present the film.
This documentary tells the life story of the actor Kurt Gerron (who
played in ''The Blue Angel'' opposite Marlene Dietrich) who was interned
in the Theresienstadt camp. Gerron created a cabaret – Der Karrussel –
in the camp.
This film reproduces the atmosphere of this cabaret with songs sung by
todays stars (Ute Lemper, Max Raabe, Ben Becker for example) and so
tells the story of Kurt Gerron and life in the Theresienstadt camp.
It has received many international documentary awards.
Screening room of the Council of Europe
at 12:30 french with english sub-titles
and 17:00 english with french sub-titles
Entrance free
This film received coproduction support from Eurimages, the Council
of Europe’s European cinema support fund in 1997. It was made for
SFB-ARTE
Screening languages: Original version (german/french/english) with English sub-titles
EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)
No information is available at this time.
OSCE/ODIHR
Janez Lenarčič, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), on today’s International Day of
Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, stressed the
importance of education about the Holocaust in ensuring the remembrance
of the victims, as well in promoting a deeper understanding of the need
to combat all forms of intolerance, including anti-Semitism.
“The remembrance ceremonies taking place in many countries today are
important opportunities for governments to speak out against
anti-Semitism, and against intolerance and racism more broadly,”
Lenarčič said. “Ensuring that teaching about the Holocaust is part of
school curricula is an effective way for all OSCE participating States
to raise awareness about these dangers.”
Citing information from civil society organizations contained in ODIHR’s annual report
Hate Crimes in the OSCE Region: Incidents and Responses,
he noted that the Holocaust continues to be referenced in anti-Semitic
attacks and that Holocaust memorials had been vandalized in different
parts of the region.
“We must ensure a powerful response to Holocaust denial and
trivialization,” Lenarčič said. “We cannot allow the memory of the
Holocaust to be used as a justification for, rather than a warning
against, anti-Semitism.”
ODIHR provides assistance to governments in raising awareness about
the Holocaust and its causes, notably anti-Semitism. Partnering with
other intergovernmental organizations, including the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), ODIHR fosters multilateral
co-operation and dialogue among governments and civil society on issues
related to Holocaust education and remembrance.
“There is a lot that governments can learn from each other when it
comes to promoting Holocaust remembrance, education and research,” said
Dr. Mario Silva, Chairperson of the IHRA. “Each society may have its own
specific history with regard to the Holocaust. At the same time, there
is a shared commitment to remember the victims and the rescuers and to
educate the younger generations about this unique event.”
ODIHR’s online publication
Holocaust Memorial Days in the OSCE region (
http://tandis.odihr.pl/hmd/)
provides both general and country-specific summaries on the days chosen
and the activities implemented on the occasion of Holocaust Memorial
Days. It also contains information about efforts to commemorate the Roma
and Sinti genocide on a special day, in some countries on 2 August.
UNESCO
All events at UNESCO Headquarters are available on
this website.
United Nations
The 2014 observance of the International Day of Commemoration in
memory of the victims of the Holocaust is centered around the theme
“Journeys through the Holocaust”. This theme recalls the various
journeys taken during this dark period, from deportation to
incarceration to freedom, and how this experience transformed the lives
of those who endured it. These are stories of pain and suffering, yet
ultimately also of triumph and renewal, serving as a guiding force for
future generations.
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme & US Holocaust Memorial Museum Announce New Partnership
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme is partnering with the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum to make a new film resource and educational package available to
educators around the world in all United Nations official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
The film,
The Path to Nazi Genocide, was produced by the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and subtitled by the Holocaust
and the United Nations Outreach Programme. Together with an article and
timeline on the Holocaust, the DVD will be distributed to the global
network of United Nations Information Centres and teachers to assist
them in introducing the Holocaust to students. Using rare footage, the
film examines the Nazis’ rise and consolidation of power in Germany and
explores their ideology, propaganda, and persecution of Jews and other
victims. It also outlines the path by which the Nazis and their
collaborators led a state to war and to the
murder of millions of people. By providing a concise overview of the
Holocaust and those involved, this resource is intended to provoke
reflection and discussion about the role of ordinary people,
institutions and nations between 1918 and 1945.
To stream the DVD in the classroom in English and obtain additional educational resources, please visit
www.ushmm.org. Educators may request a copy of the DVD with subtitles by writing to
holocaustremembrance@un.org.
The film is intended for adult viewers, but selected segments may by appropriate for younger audience.
This film was made possible by generous support from Dr. Donald
and Sue Hecht, the Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation, the Louis and
Henrietta Blaustein Foundation and the May Family Endowment for Civic
Responsibility.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
NGO Briefing
“The 70th Anniversary of the Deportation of the Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust”
Conference Room 2 (Conference Building)
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Contact: undpingo@un.org
In this briefing, the participants will learn how the German Security
Police worked with Hungarian authorities to systematically deport Jews
from Hungary in May of 1944. In less than two months, almost 440,000
Jews were deported. Most were sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau, German
Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945), but some were
sent to the Hungarian border with Austria where they were forced to
build fortification trenches. Speakers will include Dr. Carol Rittner
RSM, Distinguished Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies, The
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey; Mrs. Annette Lantos, Chairman of
the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice and Hungarian
Holocaust Survivor; and H.E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, Permanent Representative
of Hungary to the United Nations. Dr. Rittner will provide the
historical background, Mrs. Lantos will share her personal story of
survival and Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi will provide information on how
Hungary is commemorating this important anniversary. The briefing is
open to all. Non-United Nations Grounds Pass holders must register.
Exhibit Opening (registration required to attend opening)
“A Remembrance of the Holocaust in Hungary: 70th Anniversary Exhibition”
First Floor (Conference Building)
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Contact: eszter@hacusa.org
This exhibition presents a historical account of the Holocaust in
Hungary in observance of the 70th anniversary of the deportation and
extermination of the Hungarian Jews. Partners include: the Permanent
Mission of Hungary to the United Nations, Tom Lantos Foundation for
Human Rights and Justice; the Hungarian American Coalition; the Hungary
Initiatives Foundation and the Carl Lutz Foundation. The exhibition will
be available for viewing through 31January 2014.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Holocaust Memorial Ceremony
General Assembly Hall (North Lawn Building)
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact: holocaustremembrance@un.org
Hosted by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications
and Public Information, this solemn ceremony is centred around the
theme "Journeys through the Holocaust" and will feature a message from
the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; and remarks by H.E.
John W. Ashe, President of the 68th Session of the General Assembly;H.E.
Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations;
H. E. Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to
the United Nations and Holocaust survivor Rena Finder. Filmmaker Steven
Spielberg will deliver the keynote address. This year will mark the 20th
anniversary of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, which was founded by
Mr. Spielberg following the filming of Schindler’s list. The USC Shoah
Foundation Institute is a long-standing partner of the Holocaust and the
United Nations Outreach Programme. Cantor Shmuel Barzilai of Vienna
will recite the memorial prayers between musical interludes by the 92nd
Street Y's Woodwind Quintet.
The Holocaust memorial ceremony is open to all but registration is
required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When
the GA Hall is full, guests will be seated in an overflow room with a
monitor to view the ceremony.
Panel Discussion "The Rescue of Jews in Albania"
Venue: Conference Room 3 (Conference Building)
Time: 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Contact: rsvpun@bnaibrith.org or 212-557-0019
In extraordinary contrast with much of the rest of Europe, Albania – a
Muslim-majority nation occupied by Nazi Germany in 1943 and 1944 --
proved a place of refuge for virtually its entire Jewish population and
others who sought haven there. In all, some 2,000 Jews were rescued from
the Nazi genocide in this small country. This program will explore the
circumstances and values that led Albanians to bravely save the lives of
the innocent during the Holocaust. The event is organized by B’nai
B’rith International and the Permanent Mission of Albania to the United
Nations.
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Exhibit Opening (by invitation only)
“When You Listen to a Witness, You Become a Witness”
Dag Hammarskjold Library (First Basement)
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Contact: elir@bell.net
Produced by the March of the Living International, this exhibition
documents the experiences of students while visiting the former Nazi
concentration camps established in German-occupied Poland during the
Second World War. Through photographs, personal stories and interactions
with Holocaust survivors, viewers will learn about the horrors of the
Holocaust and the lessons to be passed on to future generations. The
exhibition will be available for viewing through February 2014.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Film Screening and Discussion “Blinky and Me”
Conference Room 2 (Conference Building)
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Contact: holocaustremembrance@un.org
This documentary film tells the life story of Yoram Gross, a
Holocaust survivor and iconic Australian animator. Through discussions
with his five grandchildren, Gross recounts his family’s experience in
hiding and narrow escapes from the Nazis in Poland. The film follows the
artist through his childhood there, to Israel and finally Australia
where he settled with his wife to raise a family. His early work as an
animator eventually led to the creation of the animated popular
television series “The Adventures of Blinky Bill”, adapted from the
children’s books by Dorothy Wall. In Mr. Gross’ animated series, many of
Blinky’s encounters are based on Yoram’s own childhood experiences
while running from the Nazis. This heartwarming film leads viewers to
reflect on the human tragedy of the Holocaust, and the unrealized
potential of those that were lost. H.E. Ms. Philippa Jane King, Deputy
Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations and
Under-Secretary-General Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal will open the film. A
discussion with filmmaker Tomasz Magierski and Yoram Gross will follow
the screening. The film screening is open to all.
View a complete list of all UN Holocaust Programme activities here.
Monday, 27 January, 2014
Holocaust Memorial Ceremony
Venue: Temporary General Assembly Hall (North Lawn Building, UN HQ)
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gates open at 9:45 a.m.
Contact: Holocaustremembrance@un.org
Hosted by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for
Communications and Public Information, this solemn ceremony is centred
around the theme “Journeys through the Holocaust” and will feature a
message from the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; and
remarks by H.E. Mr. John W. Ashe, President of the 68th Session of the
General Assembly; H.E. Mr. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of
Israel to the United Nations; H. E. Ms. Samantha Power, Permanent
Representative of the United States to the United Nations and Holocaust
survivor Rena Finder. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg will deliver the
keynote address. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the
USC Shoah Foundation Institute,
which was founded by Mr. Spielberg following the filming of Schindler’s
list. The USC Shoah Foundation Institute is a long-standing partner of
the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme. Cantor Shmuel
Barzilai of Vienna will recite the memorial prayers between musical
interludes by the
92nd Street Y's Woodwind Quintet.
-
Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon visited on 18 November 2013 the Auschwitz-Birkenau, German
Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945). Credit: UN
Photo/Evan Schneider
Resources :
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE
