Lord Mayor unveils Holocaust commemoration details

Full details of the public events planned to commemorate Northern Ireland’s hosting of the UK Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2004 were launched in Belfast today.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Martin Morgan, who hosted the launch, urged people across the country to take part in the commemoration which begins on January 5.

Councillor Morgan said: “We must never be allowed to forget the past. If we forget it, we overlook the ease with which societies may descend into bigotry, hatred and violence.

"Holocaust Memorial Day 2004 is about learning the lessons and I am privileged to be present this morning at the launch of the programme of public events and to urge people across the region to make a commitment to stand up, find out and recognize what you can do to make a difference.”

A full colour brochure was made available in council offices, libraries and government offices across the country to promote the event.

Photographic and painting exhibitions, first hand accounts by individuals now living in Northern Ireland who were affected by the Holocaust and the genocide in Rwanda, and a musical commemoration written by composers, some of whom were inspired by these events and others who lost their lives in it, are just some of the events taking place to mark the event.

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