Exeter’s guide to Holocaust Memorial Day events

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, themed ‘For a Better Future’, will be commemorated across Exeter on Monday 27, with a series of events aimed at reflection, education, and remembrance.

This year’s observance is particularly significant, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

The day begins at 10am with an opening ceremony at Exeter Cathedral, attended by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, alongside dignitaries, student ambassadors, and performances by primary school choirs.

At 10.35am, Chaz Singh will deliver a talk titled Catherine Duleep Singh: The Sikh Princess who helped Jewish families escape Nazi Germany. This will be followed by a presentation at 10.45am by Professor David Tollerton on the newly established Centre for Interdisciplinary Holocaust and Genocide Studies. At 10.55am, attendees can join a session of reflections marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation, all held within the Cathedral.

Nearby, Southernhay United Reformed Church will host additional events, starting at 11.30am with A Kindertransport Child: The Story of Otto Deutsch, a talk by Stewart Raine of the Jewish Community. At 12.40pm, Lizzie Small of the Romany Community will present a film and talk, Porrajmos, detailing the Nazi genocide of the Gypsy, Roma, and Sinti peoples. At 1.20pm, David Tollerton will discuss The Roots of the Holocaust.

The day concludes at 3pm with a closing ceremony at Exeter’s historic Guildhall, featuring reflections and a candle-lighting ceremony led by the Jewish Community.

For those wishing to engage more actively, a self-guided human rights trail will be available, offering a walk through Exeter’s multi-faceted history.

Exeter’s Holocaust Memorial Day events invite everyone to reflect on the past and commit to building a future rooted in understanding and unity.