Greater Manchester comes together to honour victims in its annual Holocaust Memorial Day service
Today, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, alongside civic and community leaders from across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, gathered to honour the victims of the Holocaust and conflict.
This year marks the seventh Greater Manchester Holocaust Memorial Day service. The event marks a key part of the city-region’s long-term commitment to remember the atrocities of the past and to continue to foster unity in our communities.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘For a Better Future’. Residents of Greater Manchester are encouraged to take action for a better future by speaking up against prejudice and promoting unity.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 is particularly significant as it marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Speakers at the event included Lady Milena Grenfell Baines MBE and Marzia Babakarkhail. Lady Milena was born in Czechoslovakia in 1929. In July 1939, when she was nine years old, she and her 3-year-old sister, Eva, were rescued on the last ‘Kindertransport’ train, organised by Sir Nicholas Winton. Sir Winton helped 669 children to escape the Holocaust and find foster families in the UK. Both the girls were fostered by the Ratcliffe family in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside.
Marzia Babakarkhail, a former judge and women’s rights advocate from Afghanistan, shared her experiences of persecution by the Taliban and her journey to rebuild her life in Oldham after fleeing for her safety in 2008.
The service featured the lighting of candles of remembrance by representatives from various faith and community organisations across Greater Manchester. Participants included members of the Jewish Council and Greater Manchester’s Equality Panels.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“Today, we come together not only to remember the victims of the Holocaust and conflict but also to reaffirm our commitment to building a future free from hatred and prejudice. We honour their memory by standing united against all forms of discrimination and working towards a better, more inclusive society.
“It was a privilege to hear from both Lady Milena and Marzia. Their stories are poignant reminders to us to pause and reflect on what we can do together as a community to work towards a better future for those in Greater Manchester and everyone across the world.
“I once again want to thank the Association of Jewish Refugees and the Holocaust Memorial Trust for their support in this event, as well as everyone who contributed to this years’ service.”
Article Published: 22/01/2025 13:05 PM