Communities across Swansea are being asked to join the council in marking Holocaust Memorial Day later this month.
Between 1941 and 1945, six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. Their attempt to murder all the Jews in Europe, shook the foundations of civilisation.
Every year Swansea Council holds a service not just to remember the Nazi persecution during the Second World War but also more recent genocides.
This year due to coronavirus restrictions the day has to be different but the council is asking individuals and organisations to show their support.
The theme for the 2021 Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday January 27 is ‘Be the light in the darkness.’
Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “Only by sharing these dark chapters of our history and remembering the millions of victims can we seek to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
“Sadly this year we will not be able to hold our annual service but it is more important than ever that we mark Holocaust Memorial Day because prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all.
“The message of ‘Be the light in the darkness’ resonates even louder as we continue to live through the current pandemic and chimes closely with our ongoing collaboration with partners as we jointly work towards gaining recognition as an official Human Rights City.
“So we are asking all communities to join us for our Holocaust Memorial Day Together online event on January 27.
“We would also welcome contributions both before and on the day from individuals and groups – these could be a poem, a song, artwork, photography or just lighting a candle – however you can show that you can be the light in the darkness, we would like to hear from you.”
People are asked to send their contributions to special.events@swansea.gov.uk by January 11 so they can be shared as part of the council Holocaust Memorial Day Together online event.
If posting on the day please use the hashtags #SwanseaHMDtogether and #HolocaustMemorialDay and the council will share on its facebook, twitter, Instagram and Youtube pages on January 27.
