'This must not happen again' - Students take part in Holocaust Memorial Day service (From Borehamwood Times)
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'This must not happen again' - Borehamwood students take part in Holocaust Memorial Day service at borough offices, Elstree Way
5:11pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Anna Slater
Students performed a moving poem during the ceremony
The room fell silent as people paid an emotional tribute to those killed in the Holocaust and other genocides today.
Students from schools across Hertsmere came together to ‘build a bridge’ in honour of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, which was held yesterday.
Children from Yavneh College, Hertswood Academy, Cowley Hill and other primary schools across Borehamwood paid their respects at a ceremony at the borough offices this morning.
Artists from Yavneh College, Hillside Avenue, and Hertswood Academy, Thrift Farm Lane, came together to draw canvasses depicting the Holocaust, as well as the genocide in Rwanda.
Mayor Pat Strack said: “It is important we remember Holocaust Memorial Day because the survivors are dying off now and it is our duty to pass on the message - that this must not happen again.
“We have no idea how bad it was. The sad fact is we clearly have not learn from the Holocaust because genocides keep carrying on.
“We watch the news and learn about genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda and we can detach ourselves - but we must not do that.
“The importance of the service today was to bring cultures together so they have respect for each other.”
During the service, musicians from the Purcell School of Music, in Bushey, performed a moving tribute piece, followed by a choir.
Students from Hertswood Academy also read a poem about the genocide during the service, and a minute's silence was also held.
The audience was then invited to light a candle in honour of those who died in the Holocaust.
Holocaust Memorial Day falls on January 27 each year. It is the anniversary of the day the Soviet Army liberated the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz Birkenau.
Mayor Strack added: “It was a seamless service and I am very proud with how it all went.
“The canvases really tapped at your heartstrings and I felt very moved by them. The presentations went very well, all the children were excellent in knowing their bit.
“They were confident and articulate when they did the presentations. The music was also very moving.”
