Poetry reading marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Communities Together For Holocaust Memorial Day

A ROMANY GYPSY TEENAGER who writes his own poetry will help Broxtowe Borough Council mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 with a reading of his powerful poem, which tells the story of his great grandmother Rose’s experience in Auschwitz during the Holocaust.

Broxtowe Borough Council has invited Danniel Bennett, 15, to deliver his first public reading of his poem ‘Gypsy Snow’ at a short ceremony to mark the 13th annual Holocaust Memorial Day event, which will take place in the Walled Garden at Bramcote Hills Park on Monday 28th January (11.00am).

Danniel will join Broxtowe Youth Mayor Adam Stockwell, Deputy Youth Mayor Leigh Alder and Igor Chernyavsky, the grandson of a Jewish Holocaust survivor, in delivering readings to reflect the theme of this year’s event, ‘Communities Together: Building a Bridge’.

The Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, Councillor Milan Radulovic, said: “Broxtowe Borough Council is committed to making the borough a place where people from all backgrounds feel they belong and young people play an essential role in promoting that message to future generations.

“We are delighted that Danniel, Adam, Leigh and Igor will help us to mark Holocaust Memorial Day to remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust and subsequent atrocities around the world.”

Holocaust Memorial Day is a nationwide event held each year to remember those

affected by the crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust and in

subsequent atrocities throughout the world.

Broxtowe Borough Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day each year as councillors,

local residents, young people, religious and multi faith groups are invited to attend a

short ceremony in Bramcote Hills Park.

During the Holocaust, it is thought that at least 200,000 Romany Gypsies were

murdered and they were probably the second largest category of victims after the Jews.

The poem Gypsy Snow has been created especially for the event by Danniel to share the experiences of his great grandmother, also a Romany Gypsy, who survived the Holocaust as a teenager despite many of her relatives being murdered during the atrocities.

Although Danniel never met his great grandmother, her story has been passed down

through her grandchildren to spread the word about the Holocaust and to ensure it can never happen again.

Danniel Bennett represents the Gypsy Life charity founded by his mother Nathalie and father Richard Bennett, who provide cultural training to organisations and raise awareness of Romany Gypsy issues.

Danniel will follow up his appearance at the event by recording a DVD of his Holocaust poems at the memorial in Auschwitz-Birkenau, which will be available for free to all schools and libraries to spread the word about the atrocities.

For more information about the Holocaust Memorial Day event, please contact

Broxtowe Borough Council on 0115 917 3210, email civic@broxtowe.gov.uk or visit

www.broxtowe.gov.uk

For more information about the Gypsy Life charity, please visit www.gypsylife.co.uk