27/01/25 

This morning in Cardiff, religious and political leaders came together to observe Holocaust Memorial Day. This commemoration of Wales honours the millions who perished in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides worldwide. 

The Lord Mayor, The Rt Hon Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is ‘For a Better Future' and coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

During the Wales National Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff this morning, Cllr Huw Thomas, the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cardiff's Lord Mayor Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones, and 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.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas

In reflecting on the commemoration, Huw Thomas Cardiff Council Leader, 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."

In a statement of commitment, The Lord Mayor, The Rt Hon Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones, said: "We believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation's collective memory. We must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution and of all genocide."

Eluned Morgan, Wales First Minister

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, Holocaust Survivor Eva Clarke, born in Mauthausen concentration camp

Others attending the service of commemoration were Holocaust Survivor Eva Clarke, born in Mauthausen concentration camp and whose 15 relatives died in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Safet Vukalić, a Bosnian Muslim from Prijedor who survived genocide and ethnic cleansing, Abi Carter, Co-Chair of Remembering Srebrenica Charity, Isaac Blake, a member of the Romani Cultural and Arts Company, along with representatives of the South Wales Jewish Representative Council, Pride Cymru, the Welsh Refugee Council and Disability Sport Wales.

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated every year on January 27, the day Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated in 1945. As part of marking the occasion, Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, the Senedd, and the Welsh Government building in Cathays Park will light up in purple tonight.

Members of the public are invited to light a candle and place it safely in their window at 8pm this evening to take part in Light the Darkness, a national moment for Holocaust Memorial Day. 

A recording of Wales National Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony 2025 will be made available on  Cardiff Council's YouTube channel  over the coming weeks.