Holocaust Memorial Day will be observed in 2025 under the theme "For a Better Future”.
This day has been commemorated annually in the UK since 2001 and is also recognised in other countries.
In addition to honouring the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule during the Second World War, it also serves to remember the victims of other atrocities.
Organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the event has included striking visual tributes in previous years. For instance, landmarks across London were illuminated in purple in 2023 to mark the occasion.
The trust released a statement emphasising the importance of this year's theme: “Eighty years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, antisemitism (anti-Jewish hatred) has risen significantly in the UK and globally, particularly following the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza.
“Extremists are exploiting the situation to incite anti-Muslim hatred in the UK. Many communities are feeling increasingly vulnerable as hostility and suspicion towards others grow.
“We hope that HMD 2025 will serve as an opportunity for people to come together, reflect on and learn from the past, and take meaningful actions to build a better future for everyone.”
What is a holocaust?
The term “holocaust” is broadly defined as "destruction or slaughter on a mass scale”.
The Holocaust specifically refers to the systematic killings under the Nazi regime across Europe during the Second World War. This killed six million Jews and millions of others from minority groups and different faiths.
These events are also categorised as genocide. This is defined as the deliberate extermination of a large number of people belonging to a particular nation or ethnic group, to destroy that nation or group entirely.
In 1948, the Genocide Convention was established by the United Nations to prevent atrocities like the Holocaust from occurring again. This convention recognised genocide as a crime under international law and set out criteria to define such acts. UN member states are not only prohibited from participating in genocide but are also encouraged to intervene when it occurs.
To deepen understanding and reflection on Holocaust Memorial Day, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust selects a unique theme each year. The Holocaust, Nazi persecution, and subsequent genocides remain central to these discussions.
In 2025, the trust will also commemorate 30 years since the end of the Bosnian War.
Genocides recognised by Holocaust Memorial Day since 1948 include:
When is Holocaust Memorial Day 2025?
Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27, which in 2025 falls on a Monday.
This date was chosen to commemorate January 27, 1945, the day the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet Union.
Harry Spiro, a Holocaust survivor, told the Standard in 2022: “People normally can’t believe what happened to Jews and how people can do to each other what they do.
“Things like that should never repeat themselves. People are capable of doing the worst things even to children.”
What events are there for Holocaust Memorial Day 2025?
Traditionally, Holocaust Memorial Day culminates with a poignant act of remembrance at 8pm called Light the Darkness. Participants are encouraged to place candles in their windows to honour those who were killed.
Photos can be shared on social media using the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness.
On Thursday, January 23, a broad debate on Holocaust Memorial Day will be held in the Commons Chamber. The motion under discussion will be: “That this House has considered Holocaust Memorial Day.”
Earlier this week, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) and the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) collaborated with City Hall to hold a ceremony commemorating Holocaust victims. The event also provided an opportunity for reflection on the impact of more recent genocides.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, delivered a speech during the ceremony, which took place online on January 20.
If you missed that event, don’t worry — numerous commemorations are happening across the country.
Visit the official website to find the one nearest to you.
