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Stroud falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day

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This afternoon, Sunday, Lansdown Hall hosted Stroud’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) event, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, writes Emma Calcutt, Community Solidarity Stroud District.

The event was hosted by Adam Horovitz and featured poignant contributions from representatives from the anti-racist community and faith groups including: Liz Whiteside, (Stroud Together with Refugees); Tony Davey, Mayor of Stroud; Andy Woolley, Stroud Trades Council; Steve Saville, Curate of Stroud Parish Churches; Joel Levy, The Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (who recited the Kaddish, the Jewish mourning prayer); Mustafa Davies, Stroud Muslim Prayer Hall; Colin Levine, Gloucestershire Na’amod; Rami Emad, Syrian refugee; and Ela Pathnak Sen, from Stroud Against Racism.

The Stroud Red Band provided many musical interludes, including a stirring rendition of the Holocaust survivor anthem Zog nit keyn mol (Never Say) and The Bund’s own anthem, Di Shvue (The Oath).

This year’s event embraced the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s 2025 theme, For a Better Future. The Trust encourages reflection on the lessons of the Holocaust and more recent genocides, urging individuals to challenge prejudice, combat Holocaust denial, and advocate a just and inclusive future.

Speaker Colin Levine (Na’amod), said: “It is unspeakably painful for me as a British Jew to reflect today that the State of Israel is breaching international law, committing war crimes, and even genocidal acts against innocent civilians in Gaza. The fight against the war criminals, racists, and hate-mongers of today is the only fitting memorial to the victims of past genocides.”

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 4 | Stroud falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day
Liz Whiteside.

Liz Whiteside (Stroud Together with Refugees), added: “Keep remembering, keep speaking out, and also keep telling good news stories to nurture our spirits.”

Andy Woolley of Stroud Trades Council, said: “Our social media is filled with hate and vileness, denial of climate change, and abuse of those who disagree. But just as trade unionists and socialists, alongside many in the Jewish community, resisted Mosley and his Blackshirts in the 1930s, we must be ready to peacefully but forcefully resist hate and division today.”

Stroud’s MP, Dr Simon Opher, performed with the Red Band.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 26 | Stroud falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day
Stroud MP, Dr Simon Opher, joined the Red Band.

Mustafa Davies (Stroud Muslim Prayer Hall) added: “I am honoured to represent Stroud’s Muslim community at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day. We’ve gathered today to learn from history and stand united for peace, harmony, and justice.”

This was followed by Steve Saville, (Stroud Parish Churches), saying: “May we re-commit ourselves to listening to others, discovering the courage to change, and speaking out until there is no ‘other.’”

Syrian refugee Rami Emad, now living in Stroud, spoke passionately: “For the souls of all loved ones we’ve lost, and for the victims of all wars and Holocausts, I won’t ask you to stand for a moment of silence. We’ve been silent long enough! Instead, I urge you to speak up loud and clear and truly mean it when you say ‘Never again.’”

The Stroud Red Band’s performance of Zog nit keyn mol was especially moving. Written during World War Two in the Vilna Ghetto, the Yiddish anthem is a declaration of resistance and hope: “Never say that you’re going your last way… Our marching steps ring out: ‘We are here!’”

The event concluded with the Red Band’s performance of Di Shvue, a call for unity and solidarity, bringing the gathering to a heartfelt close.

Pictures by Matt Bigwood

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