What time to light a candle for Holocaust Memorial Day today
Each year on 27 January, the victims and families of the Holocaust are remembered on Holocaust Memorial Day.
Six million Jewish people were killed by the Nazis during the Second World War, along with millions from other persecuted groups, including people with a disability, LGBTQ+ people, Sinti and Roma people and more.
Holocaust Memorial Day also remembers people killed in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
As part of the act of remembrance, many people light a candle to remember those killed or affected by the Holocaust.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event.
What happens on Holocaust Memorial Day?
More than 600 candles are arranged in the shape of the Star of David on the floor of the Chapter House of York Minster in 2022 (Photo: Getty)Each year, a national event takes place that brings together survivors, their families, celebrities and members of the Royal Family to mark the day.
This year, the UK Online Commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day was streamed on the official website on Thursday 26 January at 7pm.
The Commemoration included testimony from Holocaust survivor Dr Martin Stern MBE and Amouna Adam, a survivor of the genocide in Darfur.
Other speakers included Sir David Suchet, Kirsty Wark and Michael Gove, and faith leaders including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis.
You can watch the service in full here.
More on HolocaustThe Holocaust Memorial Day Trust says: “The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation, and genocide must still be resisted every day. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable and we cannot be complacent. Even in the UK, prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is for everyone. Each year across the UK, thousands of people come together to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future. We know they learn more, empathise more and do more.
“Together we bear witness for those who endured genocide, and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.”
Iconic buildings and landmarks also light up in purple to mark a national moment of commemoration and solidarity.
And people across the nation light candles and place them in their windows to remember those who were murdered for who they were and to stand against prejudice today.
What time do I light a candle for Holocaust Memorial Day?
At 4pm, people across the nation will light candles and place them in their windows (Photo: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty)Light a candle and safely put it in your window at 4pm today to participate in this year’s remembrance.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is encouraging people to upload a photo of their candle on social media from 4.05pm on Friday, using the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness.
What is the theme of the 2023 Holocaust Memorial Day?The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 is “Ordinary People”.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust says: “Our theme this year, though, highlights the ordinary people who let genocide happen, the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide, and the ordinary people who were persecuted.
“Our theme will also prompt us to consider how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can perhaps play a bigger part than we might imagine in challenging prejudice today.
“In order to explore the theme of Ordinary People, we will look at some specific categories (perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers).
“It is important to note that people do not always fall neatly into one of these categories, and that within categories, within sectors, jobs and responsibilities there were a range of responses to what was going on around them.”
