Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was established in 2000, and is marked each year on 27th January.
This HMD, we can reflect on how these freedoms need to be valued, and on how many people around the world face restrictions to their freedoms to live, worship, work, and love freely.
This year’s theme is ‘Fragility of Freedom' and it serves as an opportunity to reflect on how freedom is taken for granted.
On this page, you will find a range of resources you can use to further your knowledge about the contemporary relevance of the Holocaust, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
London-wide exhibitions and museums
Light the Darkness
Place a candle safely in your window at 8pm on 27 January.
Become part of the conversation about Light the darkness online by sharing a photo of your candle and tagging Holocaust Memorial Day on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness.
Resources
The following guides have been created to provide you with ideas about how your society, club or
group can engage with Holocaust Memorial Day at UCL. Use these guides to plan your event.
Creative responses: Films, writing, art
Film, writing, and other creative mediums can often be an invaluable way to engage with different aspects of Holocaust education. The Holocaust Educational Trust has put together the below guide for exploring the Holocaust through literature and film.
The Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassador Blog is run by a team of young Ambassadors who write quarterly articles in response to broad range of themes around Holocaust Education.
Below are some recent book reviews, film recommendations, and creative responses.
Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku made a vow to smile every day and now believes he is the ‘happiest man on earth’. In his inspirational memoir, he pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story and sharing his wisdom.
The incredibly moving and powerful memoir of an Auschwitz survivor who made headlines around the world.
The Windermere Children Review
August, 1945. A coachload of children arrive at the Calgarth Estate by Lake Windermere. They are child survivors of the Nazi Holocaust that has devastated Europe's Jewish population. Carrying only the clothes they wear and a few meagre possessions, they bear the emotional and physical scars of all they have suffered.
Anne's diary is full of incredible quotes and insightful writings that it is easy to forget she was just thirteen when she started writing. Find here creative responses to her diary.
Contemporary Antisemitism
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum provides a range of guides on Holocaust Education and contemporary antisemitism. They have a collections database containing over 270,000 records, including photos and albums, personal stories, and films. You can search it here.
Their Antisemitism Encyclopedia provides a breakdown of historic antisemitism, originating in the early centuries and prevailing to the present day, as well as an exploration of Holocaust Denial and Distortion, and how you can correct misconceptions about the Holocaust.
Newsletters
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum provides a range of guides on Holocaust Education and contemporary antisemitism. They have a collections database containing over 270,000 records, including photos and albums, personal stories, and films. You can search it here.
Their Antisemitism Encyclopedia provides a breakdown of historic antisemitism, originating in the early centuries and prevailing to the present day, as well as an exploration of Holocaust Denial and Distortion, and how you can correct misconceptions about the Holocaust.