The UK Holocaust Centre, home of the Aegis Trust for genocide prevention, staged a unique candle-lit vigil to mark National Holocaust Memorial Day. Over 1,200 candles were  set out as a 1,000-square-metre artwork spelling out the words ‘remember, reflect, react’, alongside the Holocaust Centre’s ‘flame of memory’.

Australian Jorge Pujol designed the work, and was assisted in its execution by around 30 volunteers.   

Among those lighting the candles were individuals who survived or escaped the Holocaust and genocide in Rwanda and Darfur – along with local students, including members of Aegis Societies in Nottingham and Derby. 

Vernon said “Remember, reflect, react: these aren’t just words. Governments have recognised they have a responsibility to protect those at risk of genocide – even if they don’t always fulfil it. But all of us, as individuals, must share that responsibility. How can we recognise the tragedy of the Holocaust and not then react to prevent people today from suffering a similar fate?”  

Vernon signed a Book of Commitment which honours those killed in the Holocaust and individuals that risked their lives to help those being persecuted. The Book has been placed in the House of Commons for Members of Parliament nationwide to sign and pledge their support for the annual day of remembrance.

Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp. It is the eighth year that the anniversary has been officially commemorated in the UK. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the day passing the Holocaust Memorial Day resolution.