On 27 January each year, people from around the world remember the millions of victims murdered during the Holocaust and other genocides that have followed across the world.

The date, which marks the anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, is also a chance to honour the survivors, learn more about the past, and take action to create a safer future.

The ‘Fragility of Freedom’ is the theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, reflecting on how freedom is fragile and vulnerable to abuse.

As part of this years’ commemorations, a flag-raising and candle lighting event was held outside Barking Town Hall, and a minute’s silence was observed. 

Residents also had the chance to hear from Holocaust survivor Susie Barnett BEM, who shared her remarkable story about the horrors she and her family faced in Nazi Germany during World War II. If you missed it, you can hear Susie’s story below.

You can view the photographs Susie references below

Susie Barnett Presentation HMD 2024 (PDF, 2.3 MB)