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Liverpool commemorated international Holocaust Memorial Day this year with a solemn Service of Remembrance. The occasion also marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, honoring the memory of all victims of the Holocaust alongside those affected by more recent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. This act of collective remembrance aimed to both acknowledge the past and promote education about these tragic events.
The event was presided over by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Barbara Murray, and featured prayers from Rabbi Natan Fagleman of the Allerton Hebrew Congregation. An Act of Commitment was shared by representatives from various faith communities, reinforcing the unity and shared responsibility in remembrance. This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Generations,’ emphasized the importance of learning from history and passing those lessons on to future generations.
Musical contributions were given by King David High and Junior School musicians, while members of the Liverpool Literacy Cycle and poet John Gorman offered a poignant poem reading. Students from Alsop High School and Archbishop Blanch Church of England High School reflected thoughtfully on the event’s theme. Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and a Trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, delivered the keynote speech for the service.
Liverpool’s Town Hall, the Cunard Building, and St George’s Hall were illuminated in purple to mark the day. Reflecting on the occasion, Lord Mayor Barbara Murray stated, “Today, it is no less harrowing for us even with the passage of time and in truth it never will be. We can’t help but be shocked by the incredulity of what took place, showing the darker side of man’s humanity to man.” She went on to highlight the theme of bridging generations as a reminder that remembrance is a responsibility passed down from survivors to their descendants and the wider community. Emphasizing hope, she expressed the aspiration that Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 would serve as an opportunity for learning and fostering a better future for all.
Jeremy Wolfson, chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Planning Group and a member of Liverpool’s Jewish community, commented on the significance of the day by saying, “Holocaust Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and raise awareness of not only what happened, but to try and ensure that the attitudes which led to them are not repeated.” Guest speaker Phil Rosenberg further underscored the importance of vigilance against hatred, stating, “Holocaust Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of where hatred can lead when it goes unchallenged. As we remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and all victims of genocide, we must also confront the realities of rising antisemitism and hatred today. ‘Never Again’ must be more than words, it must be a commitment we uphold every day.”
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