A HOLOCAUST Memorial Day ceremony is taking place in the Darlington Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall on January 27.

The annual ceremony - the fourteenth held in the town - will commemorate the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, and remember those who suffered as a result of the Holocaust and recent genocides.

The theme for the event is ‘Journeys’, as a reminder that the Holocaust, and more recent genocides, can be characterised by ‘forced journeys’.

Many of these journeys ended in death: persecutors forcibly moved huge numbers of people – in trains, cattle trucks and on death marches.

The ceremony itself will include testimony, readings, music and prayer.

Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity to learn from the Holocaust and more recent genocides, and promote democracy and societies which respect and celebrate diversity.”

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony which starts at 1pm.