Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
Holocaust Memorial Day will be marked in Stevenage with a civic service on Tuesday 27 January, held in the Council Chamber at Daneshill House.
With the support of Stevenage Liberal Synagogue, Stevenage Borough Council will hold the annual Holocaust Memorial Day service, bringing together residents, faith representatives, councillors and community partners to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of others killed through Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides around the world.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 is Bridging Generations. The theme recognises that, as we move further away in time from the Holocaust and more recent genocides, the responsibility to remember and to learn is increasingly carried by subsequent generations. It encourages people of all ages to engage with survivor testimony, historical records and personal stories, ensuring that memory is passed on and remains relevant today. By bridging generations, communities can connect remembrance with action, using the lessons of the past to challenge prejudice and hatred in the present and future.
Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Nazmin Chowdhury, said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of the consequences of hatred, prejudice and indifference.”
“This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, reminds us that remembrance does not end with those who lived through the Holocaust and other genocides. As survivors become fewer, it is our shared responsibility to listen, to learn, and to carry their stories forward – passing those lessons on to younger generations so they are never forgotten.”
“In Stevenage, we come together to honour those who were murdered, to reflect on the lasting impact of genocide on families and communities, and to reaffirm our commitment to stand against discrimination in all its forms. By bridging generations, we can help build a safer, fairer and more inclusive future for everyone.”
Although the civic service is fully booked, residents can still take part in the national moment at 8pm on Tuesday 27 January, when people across the UK are encouraged to light a candle and place it safely in their window as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.
More information about Holocaust Memorial Day, including the 2026 theme and ways to get involved, can be found on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website.