Stirling is to host Scotland’s national Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 as part of the UK programme dedicated to the remembrance of victims of genocide around the world.
The event on Monday will remember victims of atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, as well as those killed by the Nazi regime.
Speakers include Arn Chorn Pond, who escaped from Cambodia after being held by the Khmer Rouge and is now a human rights activist, and Alfred Munzuer, who as a Jewish child during the Holocaust was separated from his family and kept in hiding by Indonesian neighbours in Holland.
School pupils across Stirling are getting involved in the event by penning messages of hope, peace and pledges to stop prejudice, which will be displayed at the event and online.
Stirling’s provost, Mike Robbins, joined S5 and S6 pupils at Wallace High School as they prepared their own messages and thoughts.
He said: “I’m pleased to be joining pupils at Wallace High School today as we remember the atrocities of our past and look to building a positive future and a vision for a tolerant society.
“We are honoured to be hosting Scotland’s national event for Holocaust Memorial Day and I would encourage people across the Stirling area to send us their messages of hope and peace.”
Eleanor Livingston, an S6 pupil at Wallace High and co-host of the event, said: “I studied Higher history and have always had an awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides. However, to be involved with this event and meet the speakers, who have such inspirational stories to tell, will be an amazing experience. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is on January 27 each year a date chosen to mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
More than 2,000 activities will take place on or around the day, with the main Scottish event for invited guests at Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre.
Stirling’s event has been organised by Interfaith Scotland in partnership with Stirling Council, the Scottish Government and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
If you would like to send a message,please email hmd@stirling.gov.uk