We launch resources for Holocaust Memorial Day 2020

Our resources provide information and guidance on marking HMD in a variety of different ways and in many different settings, including schools, prisons, community groups and local authorities. Whether you are new to marking HMD or have been taking part for many years, our resources contain everything you need to organise a meaningful HMD activity, providing attendees with information about the Holocaust and genocides, and motivating them to learn more and take action.

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

Every year we are so impressed, inspired and moved by the range of activities and events which people across the UK work so hard to organise. This year, the HMDT staff team has created some fantastic new additions to our resources hub for all age groups and different audiences, to help people mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2020.

75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the UK will stand together on Holocaust Memorial Day, to remember all those who were murdered by the Nazis and in genocides which have taken place since. Don’t forget to let us know what you are planning – I look forward to seeing our online map fill up with events and activities being held to mark the day.

New resources include Get Involved Guides for prisons and local authorities, and our Statement of Commitment resource which can be read aloud during HMD ceremonies.

Life stories

2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and 25 years since the Genocide in Bosnia. Our seven life stories created for HMD 2020 tell of the personal experiences of people affected by the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution, and the Genocide in Bosnia. To illustrate the theme for HMD 2020, Stand Together, many give examples of remarkable individuals who showed solidarity with, assisted, or rescued those who were being persecuted.

The three life stories released today describe the personal experiences of Hatidža Mehmedović and the Mothers of Srebrenica whose husbands and sons were murdered during the Genocide in Bosnia, Ivor Perl BEM, who survived the Holocaust, and Philipp Manes, who was murdered during the Holocaust.

You can download these, and our other HMD 2020 life stories, for free from our website, here.

Resources for educators 

From lesson plans to activity ideas, and SEN materials to teacher guidelines, we have produced a range of resources to enable school groups to mark HMD. 

For guidance and starting points for teaching about the Holocaust and genocides, take a look at our new guidelines for teachers, which covers everything from use of images and language, to dealing with difficult questions and SEN specific notes.

Our Remembering Auschwitz-Birkenau lesson plan is suitable for secondary school students. Through a lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation it enables teachers to introduce their students to the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau and shares the experiences of people who were imprisoned there.

Discover all of our resources for educators on our website, here.

Creative ideas for your activity 

We have released a range of new creative activity resources to help groups mark HMD. These activities enable participants to  learn about the Holocaust and genocide through arts, crafts, sensory experiences and actions. They are designed to be accessible for everyone and can be used in any setting, including schools, community groups, youth groups or part as of an HMD event.

Explore our new creative activities here.

Physical resources 

Our set of six posters exploring the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, is available to download to display at your activity, and we have a limited number of printed copies which we can send to you. We also offer our About HMD booklets (in boxes of 50) which make great handouts at your HMD activity and help explain what HMD is to attendees, along with our HMD pin badges for activity organisers. 

Order any of our physical resources here.