18/01/2011

City of York Council is marking Holocaust Memorial Day on the Thursday 27 January with a series of events to honour survivors and look at our own lives and communities today.

This year's theme is Untold Stories and York's programme reflects a selection of thought provoking untold stories that will challenge and stimulate debate.

Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the tragic loss of life in the genocides of World War II, in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. It also presents an opportunity to remember the victims of ongoing conflicts around the world, such as in the Middle East and promote the themes of reconciliation and tolerance.

A special civil event is being held at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Fossgate on Tuesday 27 January, at 6.30pm hosted by Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council and the Lord Mayor of York, councillor Susan Galloway.

The event includes talks by two survivors, Trudi Silman and Sangeewa Winolith, as well as a performance by Canon Lee and Fulford Schools, music, displays and short films.

Members of the public are invited to attend this event but places are very limited. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the civic office as soon as possible to obtain a ticket by contacting 01904 551049 or civicenquries@york.gov.uk

Prior to the civic event the authority is leading a shared remembrance at Clifford's Tower through a simple candle-lit ceremony and prayer.  Members of the public are welcome to come along to this event to reflect and to remember York's Jewish population that perished in the pogrom of 1190.

Other events include a showing of ‘Everything is Illuminated' (cert 12) - directed by Liev Schreiberon and starring Elijah Wood and Eugene Hutz.  The film will have a special viewing on Sunday 30 January at 5.30pm at the City Screen Cinema.

The film is an adaptation of a best-selling novel set in Ukraine, about a young Jewish-American who meets some eccentric companions as he seeks to find the woman who saved his grandfather during the Holocaust, resulting in the discovery of a dark secret.

For further information about events or about Holocaust Memorial Day please visit http://www.york.gov.uk/ or  http://www.hmd.org.uk/

 

(ENDS)