Southend remembers the Holocaust

January 5, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Southend remembers the Holocaust

Tuesday 5th January 2016

Southend is hosting a series of events to remember all those who died or who lost loved ones in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

At 12 noon on Wednesday 27th January – Holocaust Memorial Day - the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Andrew Moring will plant a tree in memory of those who perished in the Nazi death camps and other genocides across the world.

This ceremony will take place at the junction of Rayleigh Road and Whitehouse Road, Eastwood, Leigh SS9 5XE.

Then at 5:30pm the same day - Wednesday 27th January - there will also be a special commemoration service at Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend, SS2 6ER.

The moving service will include readings, music performed by the Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs, poetry, a personal address by Holocaust survivor Mrs Hannah Lewis, and a short talk by Vivenie Muganga, Director of the Rwandan Youth Information Community Organisation.

All are invited to these two free events.

Exhibitions of work on the Holocaust theme will be displayed at Southend Civic Centre and then at the Forum Southend-on-Sea, in Elmer Square, Southend, from Thursday 28th January until Tuesday 16th February.

Meanwhile, at 6:30pm on Thursday 28th January there will be a rare screening of the film ‘Night will Fall’ in the lecture theatre at the Forum in Elmer Square, Southend, SS1 1NE.

The Council is working in partnership with the University of Essex to bring this acclaimed documentary to Southend.

Suitable for those aged from 15 upwards, the film ‘Night Will Fall’ narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, is a 2014 documentary, directed by Andre Singer.

It tells the story behind a 1945 British government film which aimed to provide lasting evidence of Nazi crimes during the Holocaust.

Professor Rainer Schulze from the University of Essex’s Department of History was one of the historical consultants on this 75-minute documentary which derives its title from the original film: ‘Unless the world learns the lesson these pictures teach, night will fall.’

Entry to this event is free, though tickets must be booked via: www.nightwillfall.eventbrite.co.uk

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Mary Betson said: “It is vital that we remember the horror of the Holocaust and other subsequent genocides so we can do our utmost to prevent such things ever happening again.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important nationally recognised day to commemorate all who have suffered in genocides throughout the world.

“The Council plays a key role in marking this significant date every year to bring it to the attention of as many residents and visitors as possible, with a variety of events and exhibitions.

“These help offer to everyone the chance to learn and understand the dire consequences of the Holocaust and other genocides.

“This year at the Holocaust Memorial service we are very fortunate to be able to hear the personal testimony of Holocaust survivor Mrs Hannah Lewis, along with a talk by Vivenie Muganga, Director of the Rwandan Youth Information Community Organisation.

“Thanks to working in conjunction with the University of Essex, we can also offer the exclusive chance for people to see the unique film, Night will Fall, which includes rare original archive footage and eye witness testimonies from 1945.”