Plymouth Guildhall will be lit in purple as part of the city’s commemorations of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January.
The historic building will be lit from the inside so light will reflect through the windows.
The following Tuesday (30 January) a memorial event will be held in the Peace Garden on Plymouth Hoe at midday, providing an opportunity for communities to reflect.
There will be representatives from the Jewish community and other faiths at the memorial event.
Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated on the same day each year to remember the millions of people who were persecuted and died in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda.
The theme set by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for this year’s commemorative activities is ‘fragility of freedom’, which recognises that freedom is fragile and cannot be taken for granted.
Councillor Mark Shayer, Lord Mayor of Plymouth, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is especially poignant to me in regards of my ancestry, of which I’m proud. It is for everyone to remember those who should never be forgotten. It enables us to come together to reflect on past inhumanities and remember those who have lost their lives in both the Holocaust and past Genocides. These acts must never be acceptable or repeated.”
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is our opportunity in Plymouth to stand together with local residents whose family and friends have been a victim of genocide.
“It means we can not only reflect and remember the terrible events of the past, but to celebrate our diversity and make clear our determination that these tragic events should never be repeated.”