Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 Encourages Reflection and Remembrance

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 takes place on Monday January 27, and has been described as "a time to reflect".

The annual event is an opportunity to pause and remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, and the countless others killed under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides around the globe. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

Local politicians shared their thoughts on the importance of the day with the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "Living in the UK in 2025, it's essential we never forget the atrocities that saw six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust."

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex and this day gives us a moment to reflect, and recommit to stamping out the horrific anti-semitic abuse we sadly still see today in society.

"There will be a number of events taking place across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to help us come together and I will be doing what I can to support our Jewish communities."

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the unimaginable suffering caused by hatred and to remember the lives that were lost. It is a moment to stand in solidarity and reaffirm our shared humanity."

Members of Parliament from around the country have been signing the Holocaust Educational Trust's book of commitment, a way to commit to remembering the Holocaust. One signatory is Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East. He said: "I was humbled as always to sign the Holocaust Educational Trust book of commitment."

He added: "Shortly after being first elected I had the opportunity to travel with the Holocaust Education Trust to visit Auschwitz and bear witness to the victims of the Holocaust. My abiding memory was not only the sheer overwhelming industrial scale of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp but also that it seemed that it happened yesterday and that we can never drop our guard against the re-emergence of such evil."

"The images of Auschwitz are seared into my mind. We must redouble our resolve and re-commit to the pursuit and the securing of peace and the protection and sanctity of all human life."

Buildings in central Middlesbrough will be lit up to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The Town Hall and Central Library will be among the landmarks picked out in purple on January 27 in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

At the most recent full meeting of Middlesbrough Council, held on January 15, a minute's silence was observed by the chamber for Holocaust Memorial Day, following the suggestion of Councillor Ian Morrish.

The theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is 'For a better future', with people around the globe urged to learn, remember and take action to create a world in which genocide no longer happens.

Councillor Linda Lewis, Middlesbrough Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a vitally important opportunity for all of us to come together and learn the lessons of the past so we can build a better future for everyone."

"We all have our part to play in honouring the memory of the victims and survivors of such atrocities, and doing all in our power to ensure they can never happen again."

The Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery and Nature Reserve will hold a short history talk and commemorative event in the Hebrew Prayer House on Ayresome Green Lane, on Monday from 5.30pm.