‘A better future’ hoped for at Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony

A moving tribute to victims of the Holocaust and other genocides was held at Blackburn Cathedral today.

The event was hosted by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, the Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Forum and the Cathedral.  

Everyone present remembered the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur and other recent conflicts.

This year the theme for the annual commemoration is: ‘For a better future’.
Pupils from local secondary schools shared their thoughts on the subject and Deputy Youth MP for Blackburn with Darwen Ethan Woods was chosen to represent the young people.

His powerful speech challenged us not only to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust but also to look forward and ask ourselves: What can we do today to ensure such hatred, prejudice, and violence are never repeated?

The Very Revd. Peter Howell-Jones, Dean of Blackburn welcomed guests to the cathedral and opening remarks were also made by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, who attended the event said:

In Blackburn with Darwen Holocaust Memorial Day is an important date in our community calendar. It provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust and other atrocities.
Our community stands together in uniting to reject hatred in all its ugly forms and that includes antisemitism, islamophobia and racism.
Thank you to the cathedral for hosting us today and the Interfaith Forum for organising the event alongside all our wonderful schools.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a great friend of the borough who regularly contributes to local Holocaust Memorial Day activities, was sadly unable to join today due to ill health but sent some thoughts to be read out on his behalf. He said:

The theme of this year’s HMD is ” For a Better Future”. Sadly after 80 years, there is still antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism. Sadly, the recent events in the Middle East have led to a significant increase in both antisemitism and Islamophobia. I pray for peace in the region. I welcome the recent ceasefire and the return of some hostages. I pray that it will lead to permanent peace. I also pray for peace in Ukraine. As the theme suggests we all need to pledge ourselves to work towards a better future –  one in which  people of all colours,  race, faiths and cultures learn to live side by side not just in peace but in genuine harmony.

At the end of the ceremony candles were lit as a sign of peace and unity, and a one minute silence was also observed.

Each year people from across the UK also take part in ‘Light the Darkness’ national moment for Holocaust Memorial Day. At 8pm on 27 January people are invited to light a candle and put them in their windows to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 and the BBC will host a wide range of progamming across TV, Radio and Online. Find out more about the full schedule: https://hmd.org.uk/news/holocaust-memorial-day-2025-ceremony-to-be-shown-on-the-bbc/