York St John University welcomes civic leaders, community groups and the public to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 

York civic leaders, community groups, residents and visitors have come together for a reflective and inclusive event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2025.  

The City of York Civic Event, hosted by the Lord Mayor and Civic party, was held on Monday 27 January at the York St John Creative Centre. 

Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment for people across the world to remember and reflect on the horrific events of the Holocaust, genocides and persecutions on a worldwide scale. This year marked significant anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.  

The informal event at York St John University included a keynote speech from Dr Alessandro Bucci, a theatre performance by York St John students, and a reading of the Seven Commitments. It was part of wider HMD programme in York, inspired by the national theme ‘For A Better Future’, commemorating the past, exploring the continued persecutions of the present and encourage positive actions that make a difference in the future. 

The event also featured performances by The Mount School Chamber Choir and Wenjun Li of the York Chinese Society. There were also representatives from York LGBT Forum, York City of Sanctuary, Polish Saturday School and Ukrainian Art. 

The Seven Commitments were read by prominent local leaders, including: 

1. Cllr Margaret Wells, Lord Mayor of York 
2. Reverend Jane Speck, York St John University 
3. Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of York 
4. Cllr Peter Kilbane, City of York Council 
5. Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities, City of York Council 
6. Avtar Matharu, Chair of York Interfaith Group 
7. Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council 

The evening was also live streamed via Zoom, with technical support provided by York St John students to ensure broader accessibility.  

Dr Alessandro Bucci, Director of the Holocaust Centre North, said: 

“It was honour to be invited to deliver a keynote to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We gathered in York to honour the memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust—including 1.1 million in Auschwitz alone—as well as the millions of others persecuted under the Nazi regime and those who have suffered in genocides since.  

“Public remembrance is an act of reflection; but it is also profound moral responsibility.  It calls on us to confront the past, even when that past is painful to face –– and to take collective responsibility for building a present and future rooted in compassion, equality, and justice.”  

Professor Richard Bourne, Pro Vice Chancellor: Education, said: “As a University of Sanctuary, we’re proud of the part our students and staff played in this year’s City of York Civic Event, reinforcing our deep commitment to inclusivity and social justice.

"Through reflection on the past and community action for the future, we are united in our responsibility for creating a world rooted in compassion, equality, and hope.”   

Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, said: 

“Holocaust Memorial Day provides us all with an opportunity to join together to remember and reflect on atrocities of the past as well as an opportunity to work together towards a more peaceful future, free from hatred and oppression. 

“This year’s programme provides both online and in-person events, making it as easy as possible for everyone to get involved. Thanks to all our partners across the city who have helped put the programme together.” 

The evening was one of several events in York’s HMD 2025 programme, which combines in-person and online activities to ensure inclusivity. Find out more on the City of York Council website.