CUMBRIA County Council are lighting up buildings in purple to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and commemorate all those affected by genocide.

From dusk on Friday, January 27, the Citadels, Court Square and Crown & Mitre Hotel in Carlsile will be illuminated purple in the annual act of remembrance.

This act remembers the millions who have been mudered or had their lives altered beyond recognition by Nazi persecution and the Holocaust, and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

This year's theme for the Holocaust Memorial Day is 'Ordinary People' with a focus on how people can be perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers, witnesses and victims.

Cllr Andy Connell, chairman of Cumbria County Council said:

"Across Cumbria we will be remembering the millions of victims of the Holocaust and other terrible genocides.

"Holocaust Memorial Day gives us the opportunity each year to reflect on the wickedness of genocide, to stand with people now resident in our local communities whose families were devastated by it, and to take action for a future in which this evil will cease throughout the world."

The annual UK Online Commemoration Event for Holocaust Memorial Day will be streamed online.

The ceremony will take place between 7pm - 7.45pm on 26 January. 

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