Holocaust Memorial Day in Haywards Heath: people of many different faiths remember victims of genocide

Haywards Heath marked Holocaust Memorial Day this afternoon (Thursday, January 27) with a special outdoor service.
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The event, held on the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Red Army liberating Auschwitz in 1945, was held at the War Memorial in Muster Green at 2pm.

Both younger and older generations attended, including people from many different faiths, to remember the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.

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Haywards Heath town mayor Howard Mundin said he was honoured to welcome everyone to the service.

Haywards Heath town mayor Hoaward Mundin at Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath. Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.Haywards Heath town mayor Hoaward Mundin at Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath. Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.
Haywards Heath town mayor Hoaward Mundin at Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath. Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.

He said: “There are those still alive who can remember one day when their lives were shattered and changed forever, one day when they lost loved ones to violent and cruel acts, one day when they first entered captivity and their lives were filled with terror, and the hope that one day the time will come when we can all live in peace.”

He thanked everyone involved in the service, including Amnesty International Haywards Heath, Oathall Community College, Great Walstead School, Mid Sussex Islamic Centre and Masjid, St Wilfrid’s Church in Haywards Heath, Mid Sussex District Council, Burgess Hill Town Council and other members of the community.

Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “As the Holocaust fades from living memory, it falls on all of us to ensure that their stories and the stories of the six Jewish million men, women and children brutally murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, are never forgotten.”

Burgess Hill town mayor Anne Eves at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath.  Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.Burgess Hill town mayor Anne Eves at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath.  Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.
Burgess Hill town mayor Anne Eves at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 in Haywards Heath. Picture: Steve Robards, SR2201271.
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“We all have a duty to remember the Holocaust and to stand up against antisemitism and hate, now more than ever,” she said.

Last week Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day, honouring those who died and paying tribute to the survivors who work to educate young people today.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from Mid Sussex to reflect on the darkest times of European history,” she said.