We are encouraging residents to remember genocide victims as the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday 27 January.

27 January 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the date of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet Allied forces. Auschwitz was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust organises a day commemorating Jewish victims of the Holocaust, other victims of Nazi persecution, and victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

This theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘For a Better Future’. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust are promoting ways people can learn, remember, and act to reduce hate and discrimination in the UK.

We will be lowering the flag at Torquay Town Hall to half-mast on Monday 27 January to mark the occasion.

The Civic Mayor of Torbay, Councillor Hannah Stevens, said:

“It is important for Torbay to remember the six million Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis, as well as victims of more recent genocides. These events, including those in Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda, and Cambodia, are not distant history but ongoing reminders of hatred.

“The Holocaust teaches us to learn from the past, speak out against persecution, and take action to create a better future. We as a council are proud to mark this day and raise awareness so that people realise how important freedom is.”