“Bridging the generations” was the theme for the event at the City Varieties Music Hall this afternoon (Sunday), while there was also emphasis on the importance of the lessons “in a world that is becoming increasingly polarised by division and hate”.
Hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, the event featured a multimedia performance telling the story of a Holocaust survivor and music from the United Hebrew Congregation choir with Rabbi Alby Chait MBE.
Cllr Cohen, said: “As we move further away from the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, collective memory can very easily fade so events like Holocaust Memorial Day are so important as we come together to commemorate those that were tragically murdered.
“It’s also important to learn and remember together and to educate ourselves from those remaining survivors and from those testimonies so that we ourselves can bare witness to the Holocaust and remember what happens in societies when we persecute minorities.”
He added: “Leeds is a city that is so proud of the communities that make up our amazing city and it’s a testament to Leeds that we’ve always led the way in Holocaust Memorial Day in making sure it’s a key date in the civic diary.”
Check out our gallery of pictures from the event below.
7. Performance
There was also a multimedia performance of 'Sight' by artist Laura Fisher, using photography, video, sound, and spoken word to focus on the experiences of Holocaust survivor Iby Knill and their journey across the no man’s land between Czechoslovakia and Hungary in February 1942. This attempt to retrace Iby’s path of survival echoes a similar journey Iby’s son Chris Knill took, in which he travelled to Auschwitz-Birkenau to understand the places that witnessed pivotal parts of his mother’s life. | Tony Johnson
8. More memorial events
In addition to the civic event, there will also be two other special events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day this week, including a talk from the author of 'The Piano Player of Budapest' at the Reginald Centre in Chapel Allerton on Thursday evening. | Tony Johnson
9. Choir performance
Music for the event was performed by the United Hebrew Congregation choir with Rabbi Alby Chait MBE. | Tony Johnson
10. UHC perform
A memorial prayer was sung by the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, Rabbi Anthony Gilbert, to close the event. | Tony Johnson
11. 'A reminder to us all'
Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis, said: “As a multicultural global city, Holocaust Memorial Day is a reminder to us all of the consequences of hate, racism, and xenophobia. “Only by standing shoulder to shoulder as one community, and through accepting and celebrating each other’s differences, can we learn and grow to overcome hate of all kinds." | Tony Johnson
12. 'Especially important'
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, said: “The lessons of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides should never be forgotten, and that is why Holocaust Memorial Day plays such an important role. These lessons are especially important in a world that is becoming increasingly polarised by division and hate." | Tony Johnson