Glasgow pupils take part in moving Holocaust Memorial Day event

Amid thought-provoking performances and speeches from pupils and guest speakers, the powerful words of teenage host Blessing Olaleye received one of the biggest rounds of applause.

“If you take anything away from what I have said today, take this - stand up for each other, protect each other, because the world will not change on its own,” said Blessing, who is co-captain of St Thomas Aquinas Secondary with fellow sixth year pupil Emmanuel Makinde.

Glasgow Schools Clarinet Choir (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

“It only changes when we refuse to choose hate, but to choose love instead.”

Blessing’s opening speech at the event, organised by Glasgow City Council at the City Chambers set the tone for a respectful and emotional commemoration.

Pupils from Merrylee Primary read poems written on this year’s HMD theme, Bridging Generations, while Glasgow Schools Youth Theatre performed Across the Bridge of Memory, and there was music from the talented Glasgow Schools Clarinet Choir.

Speakers included Kerry Patterson, of the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre and Harry Dunlop, of Interfaith Glasgow.

Notre Dame High pupils gave a series of readings (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Notre Dame High School pupils also gave readings, and Knightswood Secondary School delivered a dance performance inspired by Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who kept a diary in hiding during the Holocaust.

Knightswood Secondary dancers pictured during their performance inspired by Anne Frank (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Children from St Benedict’s Primary lit candles in memory of the six million Jewish people and many millions of others in persecuted groups murdered during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides around the world.

Co-host Emmanuel said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a reminder that hate does not begin with violence, it begins when people stop seeing each other as human.”

In her closing speech, Jean Miller, Glasgow City Council’s head of education, said: “When I came into teaching, I taught history and I always taught the Holocaust as a reminder that terrible things can happen when we simply go along with people we know are wrong.

“Today, let’s remember never to forget what happens when we allow evil, bullies, those who shout the loudest, to win by saying nothing, and always be prepared to stand up for what is right, shoulder to shoulder, with people across generations.”

Bailie Anthony Carroll (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Bailie Anthony Carroll, speaking on behalf of Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren who was unwell, said: “This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is Bridging Generations. It reminds us that we must not only look back on the atrocities of the past, but carry forward in opposing the oppression of the present and future.”

He added: “As we lose the living voices of survivors, the responsibility to preserve their stories becomes ours.

"Through poetry, music, theatre and reflection, our young people showed today that this legacy is in safe hands.

"We must join our younger generations as the bridges between the testimonies of the past and the hope we hold for the future of a world of peace.”