Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated on 27 January, which is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘For a Better Future‘. 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the Bosnian genocide.
The Interreligious Relations Team are most grateful to St Mary’s Catholic School who will host the event and are delighted to welcome Mr David Gold and Mr Smajo Bešo OBE as the guest speakers for 2025’s Diocesan Holocaust Commemoration.
Mr David Gold is from the United Hebrew Congregation in Newcastle and he will speak about the escape of his mother and her family from Nazi Germany after anti-Jewish laws were introduced and the family was accepted and able to prosper upon their arrival in Newcastle.
Mr Smajo Bešo OBE is a child survivor of the Bosnian genocide who has seen the worst and best of humanity. He was born in Bosnia in 1985, but as Bosnian Muslims became targets of genocide, his father and several male relatives were arrested and sent to concentration camps. After surviving the horrors of the genocide, he found refuge in the UK, where he now proudly embraces his Bosnian roots and newfound Geordie identity. Today, he regularly shares his experiences and has played a vital role in organising Holocaust Memorial Day and Bosnian Genocide commemorations across the country.
We are very grateful to David and Smajo for agreeing to speak during our commemoration.
Booking for the Holocaust commemorations is essential, so please book your place by emailing: interreligious.relations@diocesehn.org.uk or call 0191 243 3316. A poster for the event with booking information is available to download below.
Download or print the poster here.