Northern Ireland

Holocaust memorial event held at Belfast City Hall

David Sterling, interim head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Joan Salter, whose family were displaced as a result of the Holocaust and Belfast lord mayor Deirdre Hargey at the Holocaust memorial event in Belfast City Hall
David Sterling, interim head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Joan Salter, whose family were displaced as a result of the Holocaust and Belfast lord mayor Deirdre Hargey at the Holocaust memorial event in Belfast City Hall David Sterling, interim head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Joan Salter, whose family were displaced as a result of the Holocaust and Belfast lord mayor Deirdre Hargey at the Holocaust memorial event in Belfast City Hall

A HOLOCAUST memorial event was held in Belfast City Hall last night to mark 74 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Among the participants were Joan Salter, a survivor whose family were torn from their home and displaced across the world as a result of the Holocaust.

She was invited to light a symbolic commemorative candle as part of the event.

Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) in London, was keynote speaker.

She said the Belfast event was among more than 11,000 taking place across Northern Ireland and Britain to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2019, which takes place on Sunday.

The event was hosted by Stormont's Executive Office alongside the HMDT and Belfast City Council.

Members of the local Jewish community and representatives from various faith communities, minority ethnic and other groups were among those who took part.

David Sterling, interim head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity for us all to come together in contemplation and remembrance."

Belfast lord mayor Deirdre Hargey said: "Remembering the Holocaust gives us an opportunity each year to not only recall and remember, but to also look at its legacy and its relevance for us in today's society."