Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place on 27 January and marks the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. This official national day remembers the millions killed in the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. This year’s HMD coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Colleagues from all departments can join a whole-of-Government event to hear directly from a Holocaust survivor, from 1pm to 2pm  on Friday 26 January, broadcast from Downing Street on MS Teams. Hearing a survivor’s testimony is a truly unique experience and the lessons from these genocides continue to have relevance to our work in Government.

Amongst the broad range of commemorations, Defra’s Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein will host an unprecedented event from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Wednesday 24 January where she is in conversation with her brother Lord (Daniel) Finkelstein, as they discuss their family’s Holocaust survival story. You can join this event on MS Teams here.

The theme for this year’s HMD is Fragility of Freedom. In each of the genocides we are commemorating, those who are targeted for persecution have had their freedom restricted and removed before many of them are murdered. Understanding these events is particularly relevant for us, as public servants, who strive to protect the freedoms of all.

As in previous years, a number of events are being organised across Government departments. Details of many of these events follow below – if you would like to attend an event outside your home department (and dial-in details aren’t available below), please contact the cross-government HMD network who can then ensure you are provided with further information.

The full list of HMD 2024 events - including sign-up links where available - follows below:

• DLUHC: 12.30pm - 1.30pm, Tuesday 16 January - hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, Janine Webber BEM. Already taken place
• UK Supreme Court: 1pm – 2pm, Tuesday 16 January – hear testimony from Eve Kugler, Holocaust Survivor. Already taken place
• DBT: 11am - 12pm, Thursday 18 January - hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich MBE. MS Teams link. Already taken place
• HMRC: 10am - 11am, Monday 22 January - Ernie Hunter sharing his mother’s (fanny Hoechstetter) testimony. Sign up here + MS Teams link.
• MoJ: 10.30am - 11.30am, Monday 22 January - hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich MBE, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide, Sokphal Din BEM. MS Teams link. Already taken place
• DWP: 11.30am - 12.30pm, Monday 22 January - hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, John Haju, and survivor of the Bosnian genocide, Sanela Saracevic. Sign up link.Already taken place
• DWP: 12pm - 1pm, Tuesday 23 January - presentation by DWP Library on the resources available about the Holocaust and genocides in Darfur and Bosnia. Sign up link.Already taken place
• MoD: 1pm - 2pm, Wednesday 24 January - hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, Steven Frank BEM. MoD staff only.
• Defra: 1.30pm - 2.30pm, Wednesday 24 January - Tamara Finkelstein in conversation with Lord Daniel Finkelstein. MS Teams link.
• HM Treasury and Cabinet Office: 11am - 12.30pm, Thursday 25 January – hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor. Sign up link + MS Teams link.
• HMRC: 11am - 12pm, Monday 29 January - testimony from Joan Salter MBE, first generation child survivor. Sign up here + MS Teams link.
• DHSC: 11.30am - 12.30pm, Monday 29 January - the experiences of a child of a Holocaust survivor. MS Teams link.
• Home Office: 12.30pm - 1.30pm, Tuesday 30 January. Hear testimony from Steven Frank BEM. Sign up link.
• DfE: 11am - 12pm, Tuesday 30 January - hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor. DfE staff only.
• Attorney General’s Office: 11am - 12pm, Tuesday 30 January - discussion with Phillipe Sands, writer and lawyer. MS Teams link.
• GLD: 2pm - 3pm, Tuesday 30 January - Nazi-Looted Art and Restitution. Sign up link.
• UK Space Agency: 2pm – 2.45pm, Tuesday 30 January – in conversation with Joe Mulhall (Hope Not Hate). MS Teams link.
• Scottish Government: 10am – 11am, Wednesday 31 January – hear testimony from Holocaust survivor, Peter Lantos, and about the work of the Hate Crime Policy Team. MS Teams link.
• DESNZ: 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Monday 5 February - hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor and survivor of the Bosnian genocide. MS Teams link.
• GLD: 1pm - 2pm, Tuesday 6 February - Dov Forman, co-author of Lily’s Promise. Sign up link.
• DfT: 12pm - 1pm, Wednesday 7 February - hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor and survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Sign up link.
• FCDO: 12.30pm - 2pm, Wednesday 7 February - hear testimony from a Holocaust survivor and survivor of the Cambodian genocide. MS Teams link.
• DCMS: 3pm - 4pm, Wednesday 7 February - experiences of the Kindertransport with Ann and Bob Kirk, alongside second and third generation survivors from DCMS. Sign up link.
• DfT: Thursday 8 February (time TBC) - talk by historical advisor Martin Winston on the experiences of Jewish, LBGT+ and disabled people during the Holocaust. Sign up link.
• DSIT: The myths and misconceptions about the Holocaust and work to counter mis- and dis-information online. Details TBC.

The Holocaust Educational Trust also do a live webcast with a survivor every year. Although this event is aimed at students, anyone can take part. It will take place at 10am on Thursday 26 January. You can register here.

The official, national HMD Trust virtual event will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 27 January. You can register here to attend.

For any further enquiries and to find out more about the range of events taking place across government , please email the cross-government HMD network.