Holocaust Remembrance Day marked across the Eastlondonlines boroughs

Pic: David Tomaseti

Today, January 27 marks Holocaust Memorial Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau is a day of remembrance for the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust under Nazi persecution. It also remembers those who died in the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur. 

Each year, thousands of activities take place across the country, bringing people together to remember but also learn from the mistakes of the past.

Here are the events taking place in and around the East London Lines areas:

Croydon Council Memorial Day Ceremony

Croydon’s Annual Holocaust Ceremony will take place online. The Mayor of Croydon will host the event in which there will be presentations from local schools and a keynote speech from Generation2Generation. The Brundibar Opera Project and the winners of the SCRE Schools competition will also be attending.

When: January 27, 12:00-13:00 
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Link to join the webinar can be found here.

Getting Away with Murder(s)

An epic documentary by Director David Wilkinson investigating the aftermath of the Second World War will be screened at the David Lean Cinema. This film interweaves the human stories of survivors and their descendants, the legacy of memorials and camps, and post-war European political history.

When: January 29, 13:30-17:00
Where: David Lean Cinema, Croydon Clocktower
Cost: £5 – £8.50
More information and tickets available here.

Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration Service

This year’s commemoration service by the Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan, explores what can be learnt from the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. Children from local schools who have taken part in Lewisham’s programme of Holocaust education will show what they have learnt through story-telling, poetry and performances. 

When: January 27 
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Link to watch will be available here.

Greenwich Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony

Not too far from Lewisham, the Royal Borough of Greenwich will be holding an event at Woolwich Town Hall featuring speeches, performances and a memorial prayer to commemorate the day. To keep numbers from escalating due to Covid concerns, email the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Denise Hyland, to secure your spot.

When: January 27, 11:00
Where: Woolwich Town Hall
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.

Getting Away with Murder(s)

A special screening of David Wilkinson’s epic documentary investigating the aftermath of the Second World War. This film interweaves the human stories of survivors and their descendants, the legacy of memorials and camps and post-war European political history. This screening will be preceded with a short, recorded introduction from the director.

When: January 27, 19:30
Where: Hackney Picturehouse Cinema
Cost: £13.40-£14.40
More information and ticket bookings can be found here.

Islington Council Holocaust Memorial Virtual Ceremony

Taking place via Zoom due to Covid concerns, neighbouring Islington’s virtual ceremony remembers those murdered in the Holocaust, as well as those killed in genocides across the world. The event will feature music from the World Harmony Orchestra, remarks from MPs and local councillors and a presentation from Harry Olmer telling his story of being in a concentration camp.

When: January 27, 10:00
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Link to join the event and more information can be found here.

Interfaith Forum Reflections on Holocaust Memorial Day 

Representatives from the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum will come together at the East London Central Synagogue to share their reflections on the Holocaust and this year’s Memorial Day’s theme: “One Day”. The reflections have been pre-recorded and are available online. More material will become available on the day.

When: January 27 
Where: Online
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.

Community safety and crime prevention information stall

An information stall where council members and police officers will be discussing their work to tackle antisemitic and other forms of hate crime, as well as educating about partnership services for victim of hate crime.

When: January 27, 10:00-13:00
Where: Idea Store, Whitechapel Road
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.

Holocaust Tourist

In partnership with UK Jewish Film, Holocaust Tourist is a wry animated documentary by Jes Benstock. This film explores how Holocaust tourism distorts history. The film is followed by a discussion between Holocaust educator Mike Levy and Benstock.

When: January 27, available to view between 17:00-22:00
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Link to watch can be found here.

Holocaust Memorial Day Talk

An online talk with Holocaust survivor Ivan Shaw. Born in 1939, Shaw was taken away by the Gestapo to a prison cell at just five years old. From there he was taken to a transit camp where he was found by friends and family before his aunt managed to snatch him from a camp line and hide him in a nearby forest. 

When: January 31, 14:00-15:00
Where: Online
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.

Leave a Reply