Holocaust Memorial Day event reminds us to be the light in the darkness

The online ceremony will include a presentation from Helen Stone, telling the story of her mother, Emmy Golding (née Kaufmann), a Holocaust survivor. Helen’s presentation intersperses Emmy’s own testimony with personal memories of her mother.

The event will also feature music from the World Harmony Orchestra, whose musicians include refugees from around the world, as well as remarks from local MPs and councillors.

The online event is from 10:00 – 11:30am on 27 January, and can be accessed via Zoom. All are welcome to attend. Anyone interested is invited to register online via Eventbrite, and they will be sent a link to the event.

The theme for international Holocaust Memorial Day in 2021 is “Be the Light in the Darkness”. Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action, asking everyone to consider different kinds of ‘darkness’, for example identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice. It also asks us to consider different ways of ‘being the light’, for example resistance, acts of solidarity, rescue and illuminating mistruths.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Community Development, said:

“In these troubled times, when we have seen a rise in extremism and hateful ideas spreading through social media and elsewhere, it is more important now than ever that we stand together as one welcoming, diverse and thriving community.

“The lessons of the past have shown us the ultimate consequences of hatred and intolerance, and Holocaust Memorial Day is an important yearly reminder that we must be vigilant and not allow the seeds of hatred to grow in our communities. As we come together to listen and remember, we must all ask ourselves how we can each ‘be a light in the darkness’. Whether this is by calling out intolerance when we see it, or just being a positive force for understanding and solidarity, we can all contribute as part of one Islington community - stronger together.”