What do you see? What is happening in these photos? Do you recognise the building?
This is Durham cathedral, why was it lit in purple lights on Saturday night?
On Saturday evening, across the UK, many public buildings including the London Eye and Blackpool Tower were lit in purple lights to mark Holocaust Memorial day.
The top photo shows Holocaust survivor Joan Salter lighting a candle.
What is Holocaust Memorial about?
Holocaust Memorial day happens every year to remember those killed by the Nazis in concentration camps in World War Two. 6 million Jewish, Roma, LGBT and disabled people died. The Nazis also killed people who disagreed with them and argued against them.
January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitch- Birkenau the largest Nazi death camp.
This year the theme is "The fragility of freedom" What does that mean?
There was recognition from the chief executive of Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock, that this year Holocaust Memorial Day is difficult because of the conflict in Israel. There are many people who hold different views about what is happening today. Karen says, "It's a difficult time, but that doesn't stop us from coming together and recognising what was a seismic event in history whose repercussions are still felt today."
Can we come together if we hold different views?
Can we join together to remember events in history if we disagree about events happening today?
Holocaust survivor Stephen Breuer attended an event in Bristol to remember those who died. He said, "Whenever you see an opportunity of opposing oppression or discrimination, please do it, please try."
What does Stephen mean by this?
Marian Liebmann is the chairwoman of the Bristol Holocaust Memorial Day steering group and she says, "Anything I can do to make this word a better place, where people are welcomed, whoever they are, then I would like to do that."
Here is a link to a previous assembly I have done to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, about a primary school Jewish girl who was chosen by her school to give flowers to Hitler on a parade in 1933.
What do we say at our school about difference and diversity?
What do we say about holding different beliefs?
We say it is possible to recognise opposing views; we can still have respect for one another if we disagree on ideas. We can debate and and we may disagree but we can still get along and our ideas can co-exist. The important thing is to remember that at our school, everyone is welcome there are no outsiders here whoever they are and wherever they are from. Everybody belongs here.
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