Thought-provoking drop-in session as Stevenage prepares for Holocaust Memorial Day

Ruby Little, six, leaves a note on the tree about her family history as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day display at Stevenage library. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Last Saturday’s drop-in session, attended by Stevenage mayor Margaret Notley and members of the Stevenage Liberal Synagogue, encouraged people to add messages to the town’s HMD tree.

HMD is marked annually on January 27, which is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – the largest Nazi death camp.

This year’s theme ‘torn from home’ reflects on the enforced loss of a safe place to call ‘home’ as part of the trauma for people facing persecution and genocide.

HMD 2019 will also mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda and the 40th anniversary of the end of the genocide in Cambodia.

Mayor of Stevenage Councillor Margaret Notley and mayoress Councillor Laurie Chester leave a note on the tree about their family history as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day display at Stevenage library. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Stevenage Borough Council will be holding its service of commemoration at 6.30pm on Monday in the council chamber at Daneshill House, Danestrete. All are welcome.

A member of the public leaves a note on the tree about her family history as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day display at Stevenage library. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)