By Rachel Charman
Special events around Southend will today mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of concentration camp Auschwitz.
There will be a special service in the council chamber at the Civic Centre. The service will be addressed by Lesley Kleinman, Auschwitz survivor at 5.30pm.
The service is a multi-faith event chaired by Cllr Derek Jarvis, who is chairman of the Honours and Holocaust Memorial Day Working Party.
Councillor Derek Jarvis, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture, said:
“It is very important that we never forget the terrible atrocities that were committed during the holocaust and the appalling suffering caused.
“This year is a particularly poignant year as Wednesday marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
“We have worked very closely with the local Jewish community again this year and we have an excellent programme of events which we hope will do justice to this sombre occasion.”
The service will also include choir music, prayers, poetry readings and hymns.
Mayor Brian Smith will plant a ceremonial tree at Blenheim Park to mark the occasion at 1pm.
A range of other events are taking place today around Southend.
Southend Central Library will host two Holocaust exhibitions from today for a week, including water colours from Paul Winner, and a photographic display of Holocaust sites by David Shields.
Other memorial events will take place later in the week.
At TAP, the temporary arts project at the old waterworks on North Road, Westcliff, there will be a free screening of The Boy In Striped Pyjamas at 7.45pm on Thursday.
On Sunday 31st, Essex University will hold talks at its campus on Luker Road, including a talk from Dr Rainer Schulze on the history of concentration camps, and input from Dora Love, Stutthof camp survivor.
