A MEMORIAL event is being built around the stories of three local people and their families' experiences of the Holocaust.

The Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place each year on January 27 when people remember the six million Jews who were murdered alongside the millions of other people who were killed under Nazi persecution.

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Salisbury City Council is working with residents, students, representatives of faith and community groups so they can come together to share stories and to take the time to increase our understanding of the impact of genocide on ordinary lives and on the world today.

One of the speakers, Alexandra Boyd said: “I am taking part in this event to tell of my family history because I see the joy in my children’s eyes at being allowed to celebrate who they are. Something that was and is still denied to many people today. It is important to educate and not let others forget.”

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Speaker Ilana Natelova said: “I feel that it is my duty to share my Grandparent's legacy. I would not be here had my Grandparents not dreamed of a safe place to live, to have acted bravely and with constant perseverance to find refuge in a place they knew very little about, a different culture, or language. They gave themselves the chance of survival, and a right to live without fear”.

During the event, there will be a two-minute silence, and live and recorded music written by survivors and young people from the area.

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Students from Wyvern St Edmunds Schools will sing a piece written as part of a previous education project with Multitude of Voices. There will be video materials from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and history students from Salisbury Sixth form will read out direct accounts from the survivors of genocide.

A Holocaust Memorial Book will be open for members of the public to sign. 

Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin will host the event at 10am on Friday, January 27 at the Guildhall.

He said: “I encourage people to come along to Salisbury Guildhall on Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27 to attend this very poignant event, to learn and share stories from local people whose families have suffered from such horrific hate crimes and to help ensure future generations pledge to stand against such hatred.”

Anyone wishing to attend should send an email to corporate@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk by Wednesday, January 25.