Every year on January 27 the people around the world take time to remember the Holocaust.
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, one of the most notorious concentration camps the Nazis ran during World War Two. International, national and local leaders and organizations are marking the day in different ways; in Vancouver BC Place and city hall will be lit yellow. The colour represents candles lit to remember the Holocaust and its victims.
The day is an official observation for the City of Vancouver, a decision council made last year.
"At this particular time in history, Antisemitism is on the rise around the world, in Canada, and in Vancouver. We needn’t look far to see that hatred has flourished in the digital age," the city states on its website.
The city and Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VEHC) are joining on the lighting of city hall. VEHC is also part of virtual events marking the day; one with the City of Richmond and a national one.
In a statement issued today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the six million Jewish people and other victims of the Holocaust.
“The atrocities of the Holocaust have left an unfathomable stain on our history, yet antisemitism, discrimination, xenophobia, and violence remain a lived reality for Jewish communities, both here at home and around the world," he said in the statement.
B.C. premier John Horgan echoed the sentiment: “As we remember one of the darkest chapters in history, we must also remember Jewish communities around the world still face threats of violence, discrimination and rising anti-Semitism today. This hate fuels movements that threaten communities, institutions and our society as a whole," he said in his statement.
Many on social media have noted the U.S. Capitol Hill attackers had references to Nazis and the Holocaust in their midst, including one man who wore a Camp Auschwitz shirt.
The VHEC offers opportunities to learn more about the holocaust locally for individuals and educators.
For the world #Auschwitz is a symbol of the #Holocaust & crimes of WW2, a painful reminder of what ideologies of hatred may lead humanity to. In 2005 @UN declared 27 January - the date of the liberation of #Auschwitz - as the International #HolocaustRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/mLxlODRI3w
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) January 27, 2021
Tonight City Hall will light💡up yellow for International Holocaust Remembrance Day (& @bcplace 🙏). Glad we’ve added #IHRD to our City’s official calendar to honour six million Jews & all who lost their lives in the #Holocaust. #WeRemember #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/DUG5mpuWkj
— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 (@sarahkirby_yung) January 27, 2021
Just pause to think for a moment ...
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) January 26, 2021
6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.
If a minute’s silence was observed for each victim, the silence would last more than 11 years!#HolocaustRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/kEOrHEmMZR
