Each year on 27th January, people across the UK come together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) — a national day of remembrance for the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others persecuted by the Nazi regime and the victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
At the University of Worcester, we are joining this collective act of reflection with a display in firstpoint, where students and staff can pause, learn, and pay tribute to those whose lives were lost or forever changed by genocide.
Why We Mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. It serves as a stark reminder of where hatred, discrimination and dehumanisation can lead.
This year’s national theme, “Bridging Generations,” invites us to consider how memory is passed on—how stories, lessons, and testimonies move from one generation to the next to ensure these atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated.
At a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, this theme encourages us to connect across generations, listen to lived experiences, and reaffirm our commitment to challenging prejudice in all its forms.
Light the Darkness: Collect a Candle at firstpoint
As part of this year’s commemoration, we are supporting the national “Light the Darkness” moment at 8pm on Tuesday 27th January 2026. Across the country, people will place a candle safely in their window to honour the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
To help our students take part, firstpoint will be giving away free battery-powered candles—safe for use in student accommodation—available from the firstpoint counter while supplies last.
Our display in firstpoint will also include:
- Information about Holocaust Memorial Day and this year’s theme
- Printed educational materials
- Candles lit in remembrance
- A digital display sharing stories and messages of hope
Everyone is warmly invited to visit, reflect, and take part.
Holocaust Memorial Day Events in Worcester
Worcester will also be marking HMD with several opportunities for the community to come together in remembrance.
Civic Commemoration at Worcester Guildhall – 27th January
The city’s official HMD event will take place at the Guildhall, featuring heartfelt contributions from pupils across Worcester’s high schools who have created artwork and music inspired by this year’s theme.
Guest speaker Revd Tony Rindl will share reflections drawn from his father’s experience arriving in the UK as a child on the Kindertransport.
https://hmd.org.uk/activity/worcester-city-council-talk-exhibition-hmd-2026
Exhibition at The Hive: Between Life and Death – Stories of Rescue during the Holocaust
Following the Guildhall commemoration, a powerful exhibition will open at The Hive from Monday 2nd February to Saturday 28th February.
This collaboration between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council shares remarkable stories of rescue from across 14 European countries, highlighting the extraordinary courage of those who risked everything to save others.
University Buildings Illuminated in Purple
On 27th January, the University Arena and Art House will be illuminated in purple light, joining landmarks across the UK in the national Light the Darkness tribute.
Join Us in Remembering
Holocaust Memorial Day is not only about remembrance—it is also about responsibility. Through collective reflection and education, we honour those who suffered and renew our commitment to building a safer, more compassionate world.
We invite all students and staff to:
- Visit the display at firstpoint
- Collect a candle and take part in Light the Darkness
- Attend the Guildhall commemoration
- Explore the exhibition at The Hive
Together, we remember.
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