Granddaughter Of Holocaust Survivor Lights Liberation Candle In Redditch.

Th granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor lit a candle in Redditch today (Saturday) to mark 71 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – the site of the largest mass murder in history.

The memorial comes as the town’s residents prepare to honour those who lost their lives during the Holocaust on Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday (January 27).

Julia Kinch, granddaughter of last year’s speaker Iby Knill, lit the flame at the Holocaust Marker on Church Green in memory of all those who perished during the genocide carried out by Hitler’s brutal regime, which led to the death of more than 11 million people – over six million of whom were Jewish.

Earlier that morning, a sizeable crowd gathered in the Kingfisher Centre’s Millward Square to remember those who died during not only the Holocaust but in other genocides including Rwanda, Bosnia and Cambodia.

Children from Astwood Bank First School sang a rendition of ‘Something Inside So Strong’ and the hymn ‘Cross Over the Road’ – in keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Don’t Stand By’.

Then Miss Kinch shared a short extract from her grandmother’s blog, which focused on the topic of being a bystander.

“Standing by and doing nothing when someone else does something evil, is that not tantamount to doing some evil?” she asked.

“Each one of us can make a difference.”

Poignant readings were recited by Redditch MP Karen Lumley, Redditch Mayor Pattie Hill and Hannah Evans, representing the youth of Redditch

The ceremony also included readings and performances by the Kerala Cultural Association and Redditch Polish School. The act of commitment was then read out where the assembled crowd were asked to recite and pledge to ‘speak and act to protect the innocent, whatever their race, sexuality, faith, culture or creed’.

To the strains of music from ‘Schindler’s List’, members of the crowd and performers then laid white roses in a basket to symbolise those who lost their lives during the Holocaust along with the brave souls who fought to defy the Nazi regime.

Steve Wheeler, who led Redditch Holocaust events, reminded those assembled of the more recent events in Paris, Nigeria and Syria.

Redditch Borough Council leader, Coun Bill Harnett, said: “It’s been absolutely wonderful – very colourful and bright and we are more united in our diversity.”

During her speech at the Town Hall Miss Kinch urged listeners not to be bystanders and said ‘inaction is not an option’.

“It’s our ability not to be bystander, sometimes our lives depend on others not standing by – it doesn’t have to be a heroic action, sometimes it’s just the simple things.

“We need everyone to do their bit, no matter how big or small – it works if we do it all together”.

She also shared with the crowd a conversation she enjoyed with her 92-year-old grandmother Iby, or Oma as she calls her.

“I’ve hardly ever seen Oma cry,” she said. “But there were tears in her eyes when she told me ‘one has to counter evil with kindness – love and kindness – I feel very strongly about it’”.