The United Nations designated 27 January as International Holocaust Remembrance Day—the date Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by the Soviet forces. Here is a copy of the United Nations Resolution. The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the World War II genocide of the European Jews. Between 1941 and 1945, across German-occupied Europe, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews, around two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population and millions of others, including Roma, homosexuals, and people with disabilities.

The purpose of this Day is to remember the six million Jewish victims and millions of other victims of the Holocaust and to help prevent future genocides. It reminds us of the terrible consequences of treating any group of people as less than fully human – made in the image of God. In 2020, it is the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year in Christchurch we have the opportunity to participate in a special commemoration to be held at 1:00pm on Monday 27 January, at the Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens.

An excellent article by David Zwartz reminds us Why Holocaust Remembrance Day Matters More Than Ever.

Further Holocaust educational material and information on commemorations across New Zealand are available from education.coordinator@holocaustcentre.org.nz