National Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony held in Cardiff
First Minister, Eluned Morgan, spoke at the event Photo cred: Cardiff Council
Welsh politicians, religious leaders and survivors came together today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Wales National Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony was held at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff and honoured those who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides worldwide.
The day is commemorated every year on January 27 and this year the focus was ‘For a Better Future', coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan joined the Rev Canon Stewart Lisk, the Honorary Chaplain to Cardiff Council, to honour the victims and survivors of all genocides along with the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "On Holocaust Memorial Day, it's important we show our unwavering commitment to those who died that we must ensure these horrific acts never happen again.
"It was an honour to read from the diary of Anne Frank, whose legacy continues to spread a message of tolerance to people of all ages, in Wales and around the world."
Eva Clarke was born in Mauthausen concentration camp Photo cred: Cardiff Council
Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke, born in Mauthausen concentration camp and whose 15 relatives died in Auschwitz-Birkenau and Safet Vukalić, a Bosnian Muslim who survived genocide and ethnic cleansing, were also at the event.
Cllr Thomas, said: "Today we gathered at the Temple of Peace in unity and in solidarity, reaffirming our commitment to resist discrimination and hate in all forms.
“In marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, we ensure that the voices of the survivors continue to be heard and the lessons to be learned from their experiences are never lost nor forgotten."
Other attendees included representatives from the Remembering Srebrenica Charity, the South Wales Jewish Representative Council, Pride Cymru and the Welsh Refugee Council.
Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, the Senedd, and the Welsh Government building in Cathays Park will light up in purple tonight.
This is part of the Light the Darkness national moment which takes place at 8pm on January 27 to:
remember those who were murdered for who they were
stand against prejudice and hatred today
