On this day every year, the world remembers 6 million Jews and more people who were murdered and persecuted by the Nazis, as well as more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The 27th of January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

The event opened with a welcome from Jon Weiner, President of Chatham Memorial Synagogue, and an Introduction from Oliver Tomlin of Medway Youth Council. Five of our schools, Cliffe Woods Primary School, Halling Primary School, Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, Saint George’s C of E School and Stone St Mary’s C of E Primary School attended and produced some artwork and poetry for the exhibition. The schools shared readings and poetry about the Holocaust, Kindertransport and hope for the future, including a reading on the recent events in Israel and Gaza.

The Mayor of Medway, Councillor Nina Gurung, gave a closing remark and presented certificates to all the schools that participated. Participating in this event gave our students a chance to reflect on this poignant moment in history and honour the memories of those who were lost as well as the survivors whose lives were unimaginably affected.