Local schoolchildren to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Speak Up, Speak Out

Wychavon District Council has invited local schoolchildren to take part in its second Holocaust Memorial Day event.

In January each year, Holocaust Memorial Day encourages people to pause and remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives were changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust under Nazi persecution. But it also asks people to remember subsequent genocides, including those in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.

Pupils from Pershore High School studying history, philosophy, religious studies and ethics have been invited to the event where Dr Jan Mokrzycki, whose family members died at the hands of Nazis during WWII, is the guest of honour speaker.

Dr Mokrzycki will also be answering questions from the audience, which will include the local schoolchildren, religious leaders, councillors, and this year the event is also open to members of the public.

As well as listening to Dr Mokrzycki, those attending will also hear from a number of Pershore High School pupils as they perform readings, poetry, and display their artwork, all of which has been specially commissioned with a Holocaust theme.

The organiser of the event, Tom Piotrowski, Migration and Integration in Rural Areas Coordinator, said: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to once again support Holocaust Memorial Day in such a dignified and thought-provoking way, and we are deeply grateful to Dr Mokrzycki for giving up his time to help support us and to Pershore High School for encouraging pupils to be part of this commemoration.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day event is taking place from 10am to 12 noon on Thursday 26 January at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore.

There are a limited number of free spaces for members of the public, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place just call Spencer Winnett on 01386 565585 or e-mail spencer.winnett@wychavon.gov.uk no later than Monday 23 January 2012.

To learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day go to http://www.hmd.org.uk/.