Holocaust Memorial Day: Parts of Barry will be lit up purple

Vale of Glamorgan Council will honour this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (which is today) by lighting up various monuments – including Barry’s Town Hall, the western shelter at Barry Island, and the Dock Offices – purple and there will be a virtual national commemorative ceremony this evening.

Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “Although we cannot commemorate this event in the way we usually would, by gathering at Art Central Gallery for a special exhibition, it was important for us as a local authority to light local landmarks and show our support for this annual commemoration.

“Although we are in the midst of a global pandemic, it is important for us all to pause and reflect on a part of history that we must never forget.”

The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorated annually on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is ‘be the light in the darkness’ which is a call to action to reflect on how they can ‘be the light’ even when times are dark.

Barry Island's western shelter will be lit up purple

A national commemorative ceremony will be held at 7pm today (January 27) with all welcome to watch.

Register online at www.hmd.org.uk/take-part-in-holocaust-memorial-day/marking-holocaust-memorial-day-online/

The Council’s Leader and Managing Director will be making the statement of commitment, prepared by the HMD Trust.

The Council’s Arts Development service is working in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to create a community arts engagement project which will involve the local community.

A special workshop aimed at school pupils has been devised by conflict artist and teacher, Nicola Tucker.