Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Council of Faiths will once again come together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, with a ceremony taking place by the Anne Frank Tree in Russell Park on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 12.30pm, followed by related events and opportunities for reflection at The Higgins Bedford.
The commemoration will provide an opportunity for local people to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, and to honour the millions of others persecuted under Nazi rule. The ceremony will also remember victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and reflect on the continuing need to stand together against hatred and persecution in every age.
The event, organised in partnership between Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Council of Faiths, will follow the familiar format of previous years. As part of the national theme “Bridging Generations” for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, and the “Light the Darkness” national moment, iconic buildings and landmarks across the UK will be lit in purple in a shared act of commemoration and solidarity. Bedford Borough Council will be lighting Bedford Corn Exchange purple. The Higgins Bedford will support the day with displays and a public talk later in the week, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
As part of the programme, The Higgins Bedford will host a Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Talk: Bridging Generations on Thursday 29 January 2026, 11.30am. The event is free to attend, but booking is essential. The talk will be given by Paul Salver of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, who will share personal testimonies, explore the impact of the Holocaust and explain why it remains vital to remember it today. Paul was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2025 for his work in Holocaust and genocide education and awareness. The talk is recommended for ages 11 and over.
Tom Wootton, Directly Elected Mayor of Bedford Borough, said, “Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for our community to come together in remembrance and reflection. By gathering at the Anne Frank Tree and extending our programme into The Higgins Bedford, we honour the memories of those who were murdered and strengthen our shared commitment to challenge hatred, prejudice and antisemitism wherever they occur. Linking this year’s theme of ‘Bridging Generations’ to education and public events helps ensure that these vital stories continue to be heard.”
Peter, Secretary of the Bedford Council of Faiths, said, “For many years, Bedford Council of Faiths and Bedford Borough Council have stood together on Holocaust Memorial Day. Our ceremony at the Anne Frank Tree, and the events at The Higgins Bedford, bring people of all faiths and none into a shared space of remembrance. By listening to testimony and learning from history, we renew our determination to stand together against prejudice, hatred and persecution in every generation.”
“As Bedford Council of Faiths, we will also take this moment to reflect on the importance of standing together against prejudice, hatred and persecution in every age, and to hold in our hearts all who suffer in our world today”
Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony at Russell Park and are encouraged to book for the talk at The Higgins Bedford, as well as to visit related displays exploring the history and continuing relevance of Holocaust Memorial Day.
To book a place for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Talk: Bridging Generations at The Higgins Bedford, please visit the online booking page: https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Home.aspx- select ‘Book Online’ on the menu, and then ‘January’ to find this event.
For more information about displays and events at The Higgins Bedford, visit the museum’s website or email Lydia.McDonald@bedford.gov.uk.
More information about Holocaust Memorial Day and national activities can be found at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website: https://hmd.org.uk/