Holocaust poetry competition launched

Young people are being invited to write poems, which will be read out at Liverpool’s Holocaust Memorial Day service.

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘The Power of Words’, and explores how language has been used in the past and the present and the impact that it has on us and those around us.

The competition was launched at the Schools Parliament at Liverpool Town Hall with a poem entitled ‘Words’, written and read by Lord Mayor, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy.

Two of the entries submitted by Friday 12 January will be selected to be read out at the civic event on Friday 26 January 2018 at Liverpool Town Hall.

The Lord Mayor said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is not only a time to remember those millions who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, but is also a call to action for the present.

“The words we use can be an immense power for good but also evil, so it is essential we stamp out their use to promote hate crime and prejudice.

“We have many talented, articulate and eloquent wordsmiths among our young people and I know that we will receive some powerful and thought-provoking entries.”

A selection of the poems entered will be included in an anthology that will be presented to entrants, schools and libraries in the city.

Liverpool City Council’s lead on Holocaust Memorial Day, Councillor Jeremy Wolfson, a member of the city’s Jewish community, said: “This poetry competition fits well into this year’s theme ‘The Power of Words.’  It gives our young people an opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust and raise awareness of not only what happened but to try and ensure that the attitudes which led to it are not repeated.”

Poems should be submitted to: Jeff Dunn c/o Liverpool Town Hall, High Street, Liverpool, L2 3SW or by email at jeff.dunn@si.liverpool.gov.uk

To read The Lord Mayor’s poem click this link: http://www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/holocaust-poetry-competition-launched/