Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates all communities who suffered as a result of the
Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and demonstrates that the Holocaust is relevant to everyone in
the UK today. Through national events and local activities, the day provides a focal point for
people to reflect on the continuing repercussions of the Holocaust as well as more recent
genocides around the world. In this way while the genocide of Europe’s Jews is always central
to HMD, the day is also an opportunity to consider more recent atrocities that raise similar
issues. This is especially important since events in Rwanda, Kosovo and elsewhere illustrate
that there are still many lessons to be learnt at an international and individual level.
HMD is marked internationally each year on 27th January – the anniversary of the liberation of
the former Nazi death and concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Theme for 2010
Each year there is a different theme for Holocaust Memorial Day which functions as a focus for
educational and commemorative events both nationally and locally. The theme for 2010 will be
The Legacy of Hope, and presents an opportunity to listen to the voices from the Holocaust and
Nazi persecution so as to realise its lessons of hope for a safer, inclusive and tolerant society.
The example provided to us by Holocaust Survivors is crucial to this process, for their message
of resilience and hope should prompt reflection and inspire action.

On this page are the testimonies of Survivors and liberators. Their experiences can be accessed by clicking on their names.

Ben Helfgott

Josef Perl

Leon Greenman

Dr Trude Levi

Kitty Hart-Moxon OBE

Harry Bibring

Gena Turgel

The following testimonies are featured in the Holocaust Educational Trusts BAFTA winning teaching resource; Recollections:Eyewitnesses Remember the Holcaust, which was produced in conjunction with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute.

Dario Gabbai

Diane Jacobs

Ewald Hanstein

Georg Schmidt

Henry Mikols

Rita Prigmore

Helen Lewis

The testimony of Hugh Stewart, a liberator of Bergen-Belsen, is featured in the Holocaust Educational Trusts BAFTA winning teaching resource; Recollections:Eyewitnesses Remember the Holcaust, which was produced in conjunction with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute.

Hugh Stewart