The flag at County Hall in Trowbridge has been lowered today (January 27) as Wiltshire Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day. 

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year the national theme is Be the light in the darkness.

The theme relates not only to the Nazi Holocaust of the Second World War but also subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur – as well as present-day events around the world and closer to home.

Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking Holocaust Memorial Day. 

This year’s theme asks everyone to consider different kinds of darkness, including identity-based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways of being the light, including acts of solidarity, rescue and highlighting mistruths.

Council leader, Philip Whitehead said: “Over the last year, in Wiltshire we have seen the very best of what communities can achieve when they come together, but we need to guard against the abuse and spread of misinformation on social media.

“Be the light in the darkness encourages individuals, families, and groups to come together with their friends and neighbours, and to make a stand against wrongful persecution and oppression.”