To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January, Torfaen council has organised a week of free public events across the borough.
The theme for this year’s HMD is ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’, from the poem ‘First They Came’ by Pastor Martin Niemoller.
This year, Torfaen is the HMD host authority for Wales and the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment will be recited by the leader of the council, councillor Bob Wellington, and a printed version of the Statement will be signed by the Mayor of Torfaen, plus the chairs of the six town and community councils in Torfaen.
Councillor Wellington said: "We commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, which took place on 27 January 1945.
"HMD is a time for us all to reflect and to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and murder, and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur."
Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest Nazi killing camp, where approximately 1.1 million men, women and children were murdered and has become a symbol of the horror of industrialised murder, and what can happen when hatred is left unchecked.
First Minister Carwyn Jones, who will read a recital at the launch of the event at Cwmbran Stadium, added: "Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who died and also to show our respect to those who have survived the horror of genocide.
"Events throughout the week will serve as both a tribute to the victims, and a reminder of the terror discrimination can bring. It is important we are reminded of the lessons of the Holocaust to prevent such atrocities happening again."
The launch event will also hear a harrowing account from Kemal Pervanic, a survivor and witness of the more recent atrocities in Bosnia. Kemal, who is visiting Torfaen to address audiences in Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon, is a survivor of the notorious Omarska concentration camp, which was set up by Bosnian Serb forces in the early days of the Bosnian War. The camp, nominally an ‘investigation centre’, was uncovered by British journalists in 1992, leading to international outrage and condemnation. Kemal now lives in England and is the author of The Killing Days: My Journey Through the Bosnian War.
During the week, music will be provided by the Gwent Music Support Youth Orchestra and Gospel Choir, and the Nidus Children’s Choir. The film, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, will be showing in the 30-seat Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall cinema in order to offer some further insight into the Nazi Holocaust.
The full programme of events is as follows:
Saturday 21 January, 11am and 12.30pm
A concert in Cwmbran town centre by the Gwent Music Support Youth Orchestra at 11am and by the Pontypool Brass Band in Pontypool town centre at 12.30pm.
Monday 23 January, 6pm
The launch of Torfaen’s Holocaust Memorial Week in Cwmbran Stadium, attended by Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister, Welsh Government. This event will include an address by Kemal Pervanic, an exhibition of community art, a photographic exhibition of Auschwitz by Mark Saunders and the unveiling of a specially commissioned painting by Eileen Mills-Long and Janita Tapp to commemorate the event. Music will be provided by the Nidus Children’s Choir and the Gwent Music Support Youth Orchestra.
Tuesday 24 January, 7pm
A service in the Settlement, Pontypool. This event includes an address by Kemal Pervanic, an exhibition of community art, a photographic exhibition of Auschwitz by Mark Saunders and music by the Gwent Music Support Youth Orchestra and Gospel Choir.
Wednesday 25 January, 7pm
A service in the Workmen’s Hall, Blaenavon. This event includes an address by Kemal Pervanic, an exhibition of community art, a photographic exhibition of Auschwitz by Mark Saunders and music will be provided by the Gwent Music Support Youth Orchestra.
Holocaust Memorial Day – Friday, 27 January, 10am
A Multi-Faith Service of Commemoration in St. Gabriel’s Church, Cwmbran.
For information, contact 01495 742775 or email ian.mcgill@torfaen.gov.uk