80 Candles for 80 Years in Manchester

Image L to R: Deputy Lieutenant, Paul Griffiths; Professor Dame Robina Shah, HMDT Trustee; Peter Cox, MD of Novus; Sara Radivan, from the Board of Deputies of British Jews; The Lord Mayor, Councillor Carmine Grimshaw.

 

The gathering reflected on the importance of remembrance, deepened understanding of the Holocaust and celebrated the inspiring work happening across our communities.

The 80 Candles for 80 Years project was launched in the lead-up to Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The initiative engaged 80 communities and organisations across the UK, including Canon Burrows Primary School and Wellington School in Manchester, in creating unique candleholders, each one inspired by the life story of Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust and other communities targeted under Nazi persecution. This moving collection was turned into a powerful exhibition, which has travelled across the UK, uniting communities in a collective act of remembrance, honouring the victims and standing as a beacon of hope for the future.

The event was opened by the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Paul Griffiths DL Esq, followed by speeches from The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Carmine Grimshaw; HMDT’s CEO Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE; Managing Director of Novus, Peter Cox; Novus Education Manager at HMP Humber, Jim Jones; Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at The Fed, Raphi Bloom; Holocaust survivor Anne Super and Head of History and Politics at Wellington School, Andrew Gerschler.  Wellington School created a candle that was inspired by Holocaust survivor Anne Super’s testimony.

 

Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Paul Griffiths DL Esq said:“Education is our strongest tool – when we teach young people about the Holocaust, we are not teaching history alone – we are teaching humanity and what happens when the dignity of human life is forgotten. The 80 candles for 80 years exhibition, curated by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, is testament to human resilience.”

Councillor Carmine Grimshaw, the Lord Mayor of Manchester said: “This exhibition is a deeply moving tribute to the lives stolen and stories that have been silenced. 80 Candles for 80 Years reminds us that remembrance is not just reflection, but a direct call to action. Each candleholder speaks of courage, resilience, and the human cost of hatred. As we stand together in Manchester, a city of compassion and diversity, we reaffirm our duty to challenge prejudice and ensure these lessons shape a future built on hope and understanding.”

CEO of HMDT, Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE said: “Across the UK, we help communities learn, remember and reflect in meaningful and accessible ways. Through the 80 Candles for 80 Years exhibition, people have engaged with history in ways that are both creative and deeply reflective. Events like today highlight the importance of coming together in remembrance, strengthening our shared commitment to challenge antisemitism and all forms of hatred. We are grateful to Novus for helping us showcase this project and supporting our work to promote Holocaust commemoration and education.”

Managing Director of Novus, Peter Cox said: “We are proud that our learners have contributed to this important national project, joining a wider community effort to remember those who were murdered in the Holocaust. Being included in 80 Candles for 80 Years has given Novus learners a chance to engage with powerful personal stories and to reflect on the impact of prejudice. It has shown them that their work can hold real meaning beyond the prison walls, helping them feel part of something bigger and reinforcing the value of learning, empathy and shared remembrance.”

 Attendees also heard Holocaust survivor Anne Super’s powerful testimony. Born in 1938 in Warsaw, Anne was rescued by a milk woman after her parents organised her escape and never saw them again. She has contributed her story to My Voice, a project by The Fed, Manchester’s leading Jewish social care charity dedicated to preserving the life stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution.

 The 80 Candles for 80 Years exhibition is nearing the end of its tour, with final displays in Sheffield Central Library, 10 – 22 December; and Southend-on-Sea City Council, Civic Centre, 1-31 January.  Find out more.