VIDEO: Hundreds pay tribute on Holocaust Memorial Day

A service was hosted by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Eve Rose Keenan, in All Saints’ Square on Thursday to mark this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day.

This year’s theme was “the power of words”.

Faith leaders, residents, shoppers and dignitaries gathered in a show of unity and solidarity, urging all the community to think about the language they use and the impact their words have on others around them.

Cllr Keenan said: “We have once again been overwhelmed by the number of people from across the borough who came forward to speak and support this event — every year we have more and more people attending and taking part.

“It was an extremely moving occasion, which brought together people of all ages, and from all communities. 

“A special thank you to the 150 schoolchildren that sang some wonderful songs at our event to make it even more special.”

A choir made up of pupils from St Mary’s Primary School and St Bernard’s RC High School (see video below) opened the event, with further performances from Year 6 pupils at St Ann’s Junior and Infant School, who sang the school anthem, “Can You Hear My Voice”, and students from Oakwood High School, who gave a rendition of a song called “Butterfly”.

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To close the event, singer-songwriter Nic Harding and Mario Dabbo, a Year 11 pupil from Clifton Comprehensive School, an original song, “The Power of Words”. 

Chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Olivia Marks-Woldman said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is such an important day for people to learn the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future. 

“Rotherham’s HMD event was a moving community event with young people at its centre. 

“All who attended cannot fail to have been inspired.”

Visit our @rotherhamadvertiser Instagram page to see a video of the choir in action.

q A CRITICALLY-acclaimed exhibition, Anne Frank + You, run through the Anne Frank Trust UK, will be displayed at Riverside House from February 21 to April 7.