On Monday 27 January, St Edmundsbury Cathedral will hold a special service in the Abbey Gardens to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. This National Day of Remembrance is in honour of victims of genocide. The service will take place in the Peace Garden in the Abbey Gardens at 10.30 am.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. The theme for this year’s HMD is ‘For a Better Future’ – creating opportunities for people to come together, learn both from and about the past, and take actions to make a better future for all.

During Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), all victims of genocide are remembered, including more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Joining the Cathedral for the service will be local schools who will contribute readings and music. As well as the special service at 10.30 am, the Cathedral will be open throughout the day for reflection and contemplation.

The Rev’d Canon Matthew Vernon said, “With events around the world and the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, it’s important to understand how prejudice grows and when left un-challenged can become genocide. We should all feel the call to challenge discrimination.”

Later in the day, the Cathedral will hold a service of Music and Meditation at 5.30 pm.

On 27 January, the Cathedral Tower will be lit in purple, along with iconic buildings and landmarks in the UK, for HMD’s Light the Darkness campaign – a powerful national moment of commemoration and solidarity. The public can also take part by placing a candle safely in their window at 8.00 pm on 27 January.