Six hundred candles in the shape of the Star of David will be lit in York Minster’s medieval Chapter House as part of the cathedral’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration.

Holocaust Memorial Day remembers the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis in the Second World War and the millions of other people murdered in genocides which have occurred since. This year’s theme, Fragility of Freedom, will reflect on how the erosion of freedom is the key precursor to persecution and genocide. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Hutu genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. More than a million people were murdered in just 100 days after the violence began in April 1994.

The event will include poetry, readings, reflections and prayers, as well as music by The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster. People will be invited to light a candle during the event.

York Minster’s Holocaust Memorial Day event will take place on Saturday 27 January from 6.30pm until 8pm. Free, pre-booked tickets are required and can be booked HERE or by calling 01904 557200.