Tomorrow’s Holocaust Memorial Day will be commemorated in Sandwell by the laying of wreaths of daffodils in the memorial garden at Highfields Register Office, West Bromwich.
Council buildings – Highfields and Sandwell Council House in Oldbury will be lit purple; the colour adopted by the Holocaust Memorial Trust, from 3.30pm onwards. Those attending the online Full Council will mark Holocaust Memorial Day, with a moment of silent reflection at the start of the meeting, led by the Mayor, Councillor Dr Ann Jaron. The theme for this year is: Be the Light in the Darkness.
Sandwell Mayor, Councillor Dr Ann Jaron, who will be releasing a special video message, urged people to mark the day safely at home. Cllr Jaron, whose own Polish grandfather was murdered in Auschwitz concentration camp, said: "Because of the current COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold our annual commemoration ceremony.
"A member of staff from Highfields will lay a wreath in memory of those murdered and to stand against prejudice and hate. We will also be lighting up Highfields and Sandwell Council House to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.” The Mayor also added, "People can mark the day at home by lighting a candle at 8pm, reflecting the theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day - Be the Light in the Darkness."
A wreath will also be laid by Highfields staff on behalf of the West Midlands Lieutenancy.
Daffodils represent the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust and symbolise both remembrance and resilience, and were used in the Daffodil project 2015, commemorating Holocaust Memorial.
The UK Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 ceremony will be streamed online from 7pm- 8pm tomorrow (January 27) and households are urged to light a candle and safely display it in their window at 8pm.
