DERBY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
THEME FOR 2022: ‘ONE DAY’
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Members of the public are welcome at many of the events in this programme, though advance booking is advised for some to avoid disappointment. All events are free of charge.
Monday 24 January ‘Speaking Across the Divide’ 7.30pm at All Saints Church, Etwall Road, Mickleover, DE1 2GU featuring guest speakers Derek Niemann – grandson of a SS Officer and Noemie Lopian – granddaughter of two concentration camp survivors. Their dialogue will be followed by a Q&A. This is a rare and unmissable chance to hear from those whose families were caught up in the horror of the Holocaust, but in very different ways. No need to book – the event will be Covid compliant. Please wear a face mask unless exempt.
Derek and Noemie will have delivered their presentation earlier in the day to students at Littleover and Murray Park Community Schools.
Monday 24 January online – event organised by Stand up to Racism 6.30pm – 8.00pm – the Derby Branch is a member of the Derby HMD Planning Group.
A response to the HMD Trust’s theme for 2022 ‘One Day’ – when we will all come together in our communities, to learn about the Holocaust and resolve to work for a better future. ‘One Day’ also means remembering defining moments in history – such as 18 April 1943, when the Jewish inhabitants of the Warsaw Ghetto fought back against the Nazi Regime.
This year’s HMD comes against the backdrop of the international rise of racism and antisemitism and the growth of the Far Right.
We are also seeing moves by governments, including the British government, to rip up the rights of refugees established in the wake of the Nazi Holocaust.
It is now more important than ever to reflect, and bear witness the atrocities that resulted in the murder of over six million Jewish people and millions of others, and to educate a new generation about the genocidal horror that fascism represents.
Follow this link to learn more about this Facebook event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/634371177696146/
Thursday 27 January: Holocaust Memorial Day, the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau
- A Service of Reflection and Act of Commemoration 2.30 pm: Derby Cathedral, Irongate, DE1 3GP
From the Cathedral commemoration, the observance moves to the trees dedicated to Anne Frank and Olga Nahlak, located on Cathedral Green. In a brief ceremony, dignitaries, including the Mayor of Derby and visiting diplomats from Bosnia-Hercegovina, Ukraine and Armenia, will place small stones at the foot of each tree. All who wish to do so may take part and stones will be provided at the trees.
In Judaism, stone setting is a custom, to let the deceased soul know that their grave has been visited and that they are still in the minds of those who remain.
Olga Nahlak was a Ukrainian gentile who saved a Jewish family by hiding them in a bunker under her floorboards, even faking a pregnancy so that when one Jewish mother gave birth, no-one was surprised to see Olga with a baby and its crying aroused no suspicion. After Olga’s husband disappeared, presumed murdered, she came to England where she lived and died in Derby and was designated Righteous Among the Nations. Full details of her life will be available on the day at the Cathedral (and are available online – web search Olga Nahlak). Anne Frank’s story is well known.
Some transport will be provided from the stone setting to the Bosnia-Hercegovina Centre, which is around a 15-minute walk from Cathedral Green.
- Reception in commemoration of the Bosnian war and Srebrenica massacre, 4pm at the Bosnia-Hercegovina Centre, Curzon Street DE1 1LN with presentations by refugees and short films
The Bosnian community invites everyone to enjoy complementary traditional Bosnian refreshments in the Centre after the commemoration.
- A Service of Commemoration, Remembrance and Hope 6pm – 7pm at Derby Cathedral with readings from the Bible, Qu’ran and the Jewish Kaddish (traditional Aramaic prayer for the dead), roll call of genocides, lighting of candles and music from Ecclesbourne School Chamber Choir.
- An evening of commemoration and reflection 7.30pm at QUAD, Market Place to include performances by communities that have found sanctuary and safety from persecution in Derby.
This diverse programme on this year’s theme, ‘One Day’ will include:
- Yiddish music from Klezmer group Yoyvl
- Keynote Speaker: Associate Professor Dr Larissa Allwork (University of Derby)
centred on the UK Holocaust Memorial Day theme of ‘One Day’ and the story of Jack Kagan who escaped the Novogrudok ghetto in Nazi occupied Europe.
- Music from an Iranian musician – playing the santoor.
- Murray Park School – Poetry
- Poetry and Dance by Derby’s Bosnian community
- The story of Olga Nahlak
- Dancing by Derby’s renowned Ukrainian dance group ‘Hoverla’
Free, but advance booking is advised: QUAD box office 01332 290606 or online at
https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/HolocaustMemorialDay2022
Monday 31 January and Tuesday 1 February
A series of talks and Q & A sessions, for the Derby students of four secondary schools and The University of Derby, by Mala Tribich MBE, a survivor of Ravensbrück and Bergen Belsen. The talks are not available to the public, because of Covid restrictions at the hosting venues, but press enquiries are welcome.
31 January (afternoon) Murray Park Community School and (evening) The University of Derby
1 February (morning) Derby Moor Spencer Academy and (afternoon) Derby Grammar School (inc students from Derby High School)
An Evening of poetry and music Thursday 3 February7pm at MULTI-FAITH CENTRE at The University of Derby, Kedleston Road, DE22 1GB at 7.00pm
– featuring various works of the Ukrainian artist and poet Taras Shevchenko, performed by members of Derby’s Ukrainian community, including the renowned group Hoverla.
Tickets are available free of charge, but advance registration is essential, through Eventbrite, using this link
Ample free parking available on the campus in the evening.
For further information on the whole programme, visit