Library image: Ray Duff
Report by Ray Duff: A poignant ceremony was held at the Garden of Remembrance in Sandgate Road, Folkestone on Monday 27th January 2025 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
This year, the event carried a heightened significance, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Under the theme “For a Better Future,” the commemoration began with moving musical selections, setting a solemn tone. Rev. Christopher Johnson and the Mayor of Folkestone, Cllr. Abena Akuffo-Kelly, delivered powerful addresses, emphasizing the enduring importance of remembering the Holocaust and actively combating rising prejudice and hatred in all its forms.
Students from local schools played a vital role, sharing their research on the genocide in Srebrenica and the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Harvey Grammar School showcased the poignant musical composition “Congeria Chaos,” a moving testament to the horrors of the past.
A key moment was the reading of the Statement of Commitment, a pledge to challenge prejudice and stand up to hatred. Students from Turner Free School, Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, and Harvey Grammar School joined with Rabbi Cohen, the Mayor, and Rev. Johnson in this solemn recitation.
The ceremony concluded with a candle-lighting ceremony, and inviting the community to participate in the “Light the Darkness” initiative by lighting candles in their windows as a symbol of remembrance.
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust: https://hmd.org.uk/
The Statement of Commitment:https://hmd.org.uk/resource/the-statement-of-commitment-for-hmd/
Light the Darkness: https://hmd.org.uk/lightthedarkness/