Lord Mayor of Exeter marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Published: 27 January 2023

Exeter’s Lord Mayor Cllr Yolonda Henson lit a candle today to remember all those lost in the Holocaust and other atrocities.

Cllr Henson was taking part in an event at Exeter Cathedral as part of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

The event at Exeter Cathedral took time to remember the innocent victims of genocide, bearing witness for those who endured such terrible events, and honouring the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.

Criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder was also at the event. Known to millions as Judge Rinder, he teamed up with Bernie Graham, whose grandmother was sent to Aushchwitz death camp but survived until after its liberation, for a 45-minute talk entitled ‘Ordinary People’.

Rinder’s own family were affected by the holocaust, with his grandfather being sent to and surviving concentration camps during the Second World War.

Rob and Bernie talked about the project they have developed where they encourage young people to research and explore the Holocaust and related themes through the four family stories featured in the BBC 1 Documentary, 'My Family, The Holocaust and Me'.

Exeter’s historic Guildhall in the High Street will host the closing ceremony for the day, as well as an exhibition from schools around the city.