Council hosts Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett was honoured to welcome Junior Minister Jennifer McCann, Junior Minister Emma Pengelly, along with Holocaust survivor, Tomi Reichental, and members of the Jewish community to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

 

Organised by the Northern Ireland Executive, and held at Lagan Valley Island, the event was one of thousands organised across Britain, to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust, and to mark the 71st anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp Aushchwitz-Birkenau.

 

Speaking at the event, the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett said: “I am extremely privileged to welcome you all here to Lagan Valley Island and I am pleased to be a part of this historic day of remembrance.

 

“I would like extend a particularly warm welcome to Holocaust survivor, Mr Tomi Reichental, who survived Bergen-Belsen concentration camp – it is a great honour to have you with us today.

 

“Every year, on this very day, we extend our love, compassion and heart felt sorrow to the victims, and their families, of the heinous acts that took place during the Holocaust.

 

“Not only do we pause to reflect the millions of people whose lives have been lost or changed beyond recognition during the atrocity, we also remember those who fell to the horrifying genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

 

“We’re fortunate here in Northern Ireland; we are not at risk of genocide. However, we must play our part to ensure that this day is never forgotten, remembering the victims and keeping this historic day in our thoughts and prayers.

 

“There is still much to do to create a safer future and Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to further this process”, concluded the Mayor.