Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 ceremony to be shown on the BBC

The BBC is set to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau with a wide range of programming across TV, Radio and Online, as well as full coverage of the Auschwitz Ceremony from Poland and commemorative events across the UK.

From 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer, survivors and VIPs will attend a unique commemoration to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, hosted by Reeta Chakrabarti to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children brutally murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust and other victims of Nazi persecution.

The ceremony will also commemorate those who were murdered in the genocide in Bosnia 30 years ago and in other more recent genocides. Through music, readings and powerful personal testimony, the victims of these appalling events will be remembered. Among those taking part in this event are cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra and Rob Rinder.

There will be coverage across BBC News and the BBC News channel throughout the day – following the main events and providing insight, context and sharing human stories.

View the full schedule from the BBC

Tim Davie, Director-General for the BBC, says:

“The BBC is marking the 80th anniversary of this hugely significant moment in our history with commemorative events, powerful new documentaries and educational resources across tv, radio and online. The BBC has an important role to play in bringing people together to remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust as well as ensuring their stories are shared with future generations.”

Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, says:

“We deeply appreciate the BBC’s commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau with such thoughtful and wide-ranging programming. Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment for us all to pause, reflect, and remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, while also honouring the victims of more recent genocides including in Bosnia 30 years ago. It’s a day with the power to touch hearts and inspire change. The range of programming, including the national Ceremony, will bring the nation together and enable people of all backgrounds to learn invaluable lessons from the past – lessons that remind us of our shared responsibility to build a kinder, better future.”

 

Holocaust Memorial Day programme information

What Happened At Auschwitz (BBC One and iPlayer, 20 January at 8.30pm)

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 (BBC One and iPlayer, 27 January at 7pm)

Last Musician of Auschwitz (BBC Two and iPlayer, 27 January at 9pm)

Radio 3

Radio 3 Breakfast at 6.30am to 9.30am

Composer of the Week: Voices of Terezín, Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, from 4pm to 5pm

Radio 3 in Concert at 8.30pm

The Essay: They’ll never believe it happened, Monday 27 to Friday 31 January from 9.45pm to 10pm

Radio 4

Shadow of War, 21 January at 8pm

Radio 4, Crossing Continents, 21 January at 9pm

Sunday Worship, 26 January at 8.10am

The Today Programme, 27 January at 6am

BBC Teach

Newsround special bulletin follows a school party visit to Auschwitz

Simon Schama: The Holocaust – 80 Years On (BBC Two and iPlayer airing in 2025)