This year marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The January 27th date was chosen, as it is the anniversary of the day in 1945 on which the Soviet Army liberated the largest Nazi concentration camp. 2015 will also be the 20th anniversary of the Genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia. Therefore it is particularly appropriate that the theme for this major anniversary year focuses on memory.
HMD’s purpose is to commemorate the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides from around the world – to remember. Those who have no direct experience to recall are asked, on HMD, to ‘remember’ those who were murdered and to honour the survivors.
Programme
1.15pm Arrival
LRV - Leek Road Venue, Leek Road Campus, Staffordshire University, Stoke
1.30pm Welcome
Professor Michael Gunn, Vice-Chancellor, Staffordshire University
1.40pm Every Picture Holds a Memory: Bosnian War Survivor, Kemal Pernaic’s story
As read by Mel Ramsay, Student Union President
Followed by Kemal’s testimony short film – Pretty Village
1.50pm Keep the Memory Alive
Poems, Readings and Music
Pupils from Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy
2.10pm Flame of Remembrance
Led by Revd. Mick Williams, Senior University Chaplain
2.20pm The Kaddish – ‘prayer for the departed’
Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffs Hebrew Congregation
If you would like to attend the event please contact: Corporate Events, Staffordshire University, either by telephone: 01782 295860 or email: public@staffs.ac.uk. Please note that booking is not compulsory and as long as there's seats available we'll let students in on the day.