Watford Grammar School for Girls students perform 'deeply moving' play in tribute to Holocaust survivors

4:00pm Friday 25th January 2013 in News By Anna Slater

Students paid tribute to Holocaust survivors in a "deeply moving" play to remember those killed in genocides. 

Year ten pupils from Watford Grammar School for Girls performed Roman’s Other Journey - a tale about a Holocaust victim - on Wednesday January, 23 at All Saints Church, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood.

The show, written by drama teacher Androulla Gordon, was held in honour of Holocaust Memorial Day, which is on Monday.

The play formed part of a luncheon, organised by church Reverend Tim Warr, to mark those killed in genocides. Films about the Holocaust were also shown at the event.

Mayor Pat Strack said: "The girls’ emotions were challenged when portraying their victim and it came through in the performance. It was a deeply moving play.

"We were privileged for them to share it with us. We owe Rev Warr a deep debt of gratitude for stepping into the unknown and arranging the events in Borehamwood."

Rev Warr will also be holding a second Holocaust memorial service on Tuesday, January 29 at All Saints Church from noon to 2pm.

Comments(6)

LSC says...
12:06am Sat 26 Jan 13

Out of curiosity, why was that day chosen? I realise one day or another had to be but is it significant? The date of a law being passed or a specific massacre?

No snide motive, just asking.

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Andrew Turpie says...
11:45am Sat 26 Jan 13

Wiki page:

Since 1996, 27 January has officially been Gedenktag für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus (Anniversary for the Victims of National Socialism) in Germany. Italy and Poland have adopted similar memorial days.

On 10 June 1999, Andrew Dismore MP asked Prime Minister Tony Blair about the creation of memorial day for the Holocaust. In reply, Tony Blair also referred to the ethnic cleansing that was being witnessed in the Kosovo War at that time and said:


"I am determined to ensure that the horrendous crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten. The ethnic cleansing and killing that has taken place in Europe in recent weeks are a stark example of the need for vigilance."

A consultation took place during October of that year. On 27 January 2000, representatives from forty-four governments around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance and research. At the conclusion of the forum, the delegates unanimously signed a declaration. This declaration forms the basis of the Statement of Commitment (see below) adopted for Holocaust Memorial Day.

In 2004 The United Nations voted, by 149 votes out of 191, to formally commemorate the Holocaust atrocity.

Hope this helps

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LSC says...
5:34pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Makes sense why it is the day here. I wonder why Germany chose it originally though.

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garston tony says...
1:26pm Mon 28 Jan 13

The 27th January was the date that Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet army in 1945

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LSC says...
2:28pm Mon 28 Jan 13

garston tony wrote:
The 27th January was the date that Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet army in 1945
Thanks Tony, that makes perfect sense. I knew there must be a reason somewhere.

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garston tony says...
10:55am Tue 29 Jan 13

I think they picked that particular anniversary as Auschwitz was the biggest camp of them all.

Looking around the world its a shame that whilst we remember horrific times like the Holocaust humans are not capable of learning the lessons and war and persecution is ever more rife

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