Durham to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

Durham County Council will commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, by sharing the untold stories of Jewish children who found refuge in the North East during the Second World War.

The free event at The Empire Theatre in Consett will explore the Kindertransport (“children’s transport”), an organised rescue mission from Nazi-controlled territory in 1938-1939 prior to the outbreak of the war, in which nearly 10,000 children, mostly Jewish, were resettled in Britain. 

The event will also uncover the little-known history of a Tynemouth safe house - Number 55 Percy Park - that sheltered more than 20 Jewish girls between 1939 and 1940 (after which they were moved to Windermere in the Lake District), a story recently brought to light by a BBC podcast: The Girls: The Holocaust Safe House.

Guest speaker Brenda Dinsdale, honorary life president of Newcastle Reform Synagogue, will highlight the experiences of refugees who settled in the region during the war.

Councillor Alan Shield, cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. 

“It’s more important than ever that we seek to learn the lessons of the past and recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own – it’s a steady process which can begin if discrimination, racism, and hatred are not checked and prevented.

“This year’s theme is ‘For a Better Future’ and is an opportunity for us to commit to making a better future by seeking to eradicate discrimination and rejecting hate crime, or the incitement of hate crime, and prejudice across County Durham.

“We hope our event brings together our diverse communities in reflection and, through the stories told, shows how we can make a difference when we support each other and work together.”

In addition to talks, performances from North Durham Academy and Villa Real schools will honour the memory of those murdered in the Holocaust, as well as victims of other genocides.

Places for the event can be booked at www.empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/holocaust-memorial-day

To find out more about the lost history of Tynemouth’s Holocaust safe house, see this superb BBC article by Joanna Lonsdale & Jane Downs.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →