Sunderland commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

The international day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. It aims to bring people together to learn more about the past, encourage remembrance, and honour survivors.

The Sunderland Inter Faith Forum is holding a Holocaust Memorial Day Event at Sunderland Minster at 6.30pm on Tuesday 27 January. The international theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is 'Bridging Generations', a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance lives on through all of us.

Joining the Inter Faith Forum will be Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Ehthesham Haque, The Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Mrs Ruth Thompson OBE DL, and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.

Speakers at the event will include Vivienne Carta from G2- Children of Holocaust Survivors, and Rabbi Sybil Sheridan and Linda Scott from Newcastle Reform Synagogue.

During the memorial service violinist Judith Thompson will play music from Schindler's List.

Mayor of Sunderland Cllr Ehthesham Haque said: "Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day each year helps to ensure that we never forget the lives lost and damage done to communities, and it helps us to teach future generations the consequences of racism and hatred. 

"I'd ask everyone in Sunderland to help us commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and join this special memorial service at Sunderland Minster as we remember the victims of genocides worldwide."

Graeme Jobes, co-chair of Sunderland Inter Faith Forum, said: "This event bring us all together to remember and learn about Nazi persecution and the genocides that have followed in Cambodia, Darfur, Rwanda and Bosnia, in the hope the actions of ordinary people will prevent Genocides."

This year's Holocaust Memorial Day event will take place at 6.30pm in Sunderland Minster.

For more information on what is happening nationally for Holocaust Memorial Day, visit www.hmd.org.uk