Representatives of Bromley faith groups joined residents at the Civic Centre for a moving service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial.
The interfaith service included a number of readings and speeches, including from various faith leaders, who spoke to the importance of the occasion and remembering the tragedies involved in the Holocaust and other genocides.
Six candles were lit during the ceremony to represent the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. Further candles were also lit, including to remember the genocides of other groups persecuted by the Nazis such as the Romani people, and for the victims of genocide in Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur and Rwanda.
A final candle was lit as a symbol of hope and of thanksgiving for those who made a decision to stand together with the Jewish people during the Holocaust.
The Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Mike Botting, was joined by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Keith Onslow, Leader of the Council Cllr Colin Smith, Sir Bob Neill MP, elected members, council officers. Faith group representatives, such as Bromley Three Faiths Group were also in attendance along with residents, including a Holocaust survivor.
The Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Mike Botting said: “It is important that we continue to mark this occasion and to remember the horrors of the Holocaust. I was reminded today of my predecessor as Mayor who planted a tree to mark the first Holocaust Memorial Day in 2001 and with these important services having now been held in the council chambers for a number of years, I am proud to see this continue.”
Holocaust Memorial Day is marked on 27 January each year, with services held throughout January when this date falls on the sabbath.
The theme for 2024 is ‘fragility of freedom’ to acknowledge every genocide has taken away freedom and how freedom should not be taken for granted.
Further information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be found at www.hmd.org.uk/
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk