Young people in Rotherham to honour Holocaust Memorial Day

The event, led by Rotherham Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS), reflects this year’s campaign theme of Keeping the Memory Alive.

The circus performance highlights the plight of the Ovitz family — known as The Seven Dwarves of Auschwitz — who were forced to perform in order to survive the camps.

Young people will show circus life before and after the war through members of the fictional Cirkus Mazurka.

Continuing on the circus theme, a display of painted eggs, which is a tradition of clowns to paint their own unique face, will be presented by the young people reflecting their own uniqueness.

The lives of marginalised people and communities, who are sometimes forgotten, such as people with learning difficulties and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) people, are also to be highlighted through song and readings.

Cllr Paul Lakin, leader of Rotherham Borough Council said: “The atrocities of the Holocaust should never be forgotten so it’s important that young people keep alive the stories of those who suffered, for generations to come.

“The young people in Rotherham have worked hard to bring this piece of work together and I’d encourage anyone to attend the performance to show your support to the young people and to honour those who suffered.”

The event takes place at Rotherham Town Hall tomorrow from 5.30pm to 7pm and is open to the public.