Keeping the Memory Alive

2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the massacre of many people in Srebenica, Bosnia, who were remembered as part of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day events in Derby, along with the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Twenty years ago Derby welcomed many Bosnian refugees fleeing the war, and as a result, a strong Bosnian community now lives in Derby. Their community centre is also home to the Derby Refugee Advice Centre and now welcomes many people of various nationalities seeking asylum here. One particularly poignant event among many held on HMD day, 27th January, was the Bosnian community welcoming many Derby residents and three diplomatic representatives to remember Srebenica. Derby was fortunate to have won one of the 70 candles specially designed by Sir Anish Kapoor, which was lit by the Bosnian ambassador at the Bosnian Herzegovina Centre. It was then carried to Derby Cathedral where is was carried to the altar by an Armenian representative for an interfaith commemoration service. Afterwards it was carried to the QUAD Arts Centre by a Jewish representative at the beginning of a very moving evening of reflection by different communities in Derby. It was inspiring to see each community looking to the future with hope as well as remembering past horrors. Where else can you hear “Bridges” a combined Jewish/Ukrainian band!