DERBY'S Holocaust memorial events will be broadcast to the nation as part of the BBC's coverage of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Derby is one of just three events in England that will be picked out during the BBC2 programme on Tuesday night.
The city was chosen after national event organisers highlighted the unique way in which the city marks the day.
Derby's commemorations are organised by a group of volunteers from all walks of the city's life and supported by the Mayor's office.
January 27 is officially designated Holocaust Memorial Day and is the date on which the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust under Nazi persecution are remembered, as well as those who have died in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Anne Johns, speaking on behalf of the group, said: "The BBC contacted the national group who highlighted Derby as a place that had a unique story to tell.
"Unlike many places, we actually commemorate three different genocides: the Holocaust, Srebrenica and the Armenian genocide.
"It is very gratifying that the way the people in the city have come together from different ethnic and faith groups has been recognised.
"I think it shows that we are working in the right direction in Derby and that it will be great to have the city on a national stage."
The programme, on Tuesday evening, will see 200 survivors from the camp taking part in a special event to mark the date.
The filming in Derby will feature two members of the Bosnian community – Medina Salkic, a Bosnian woman who lost many male relatives in the Srebrenica massacre, and Bahrudin Muhic, who lost his father.
Originally a single day of events, Derby's Holocaust memorial commemorations now fill a whole week, including talks, films, meditation, stone-setting, a multi-faith cathedral service, concerts, exhibitions and more.
This year, 70 specially designed candles will be lit with Derby being chosen as one of the locations.
Artist Anish Kapoor was commissioned to design the candles, one of which will be paraded through the city during the keynote event in the week of remembrance.
Anne said: "The main focus is on January 27, the date of the liberation of Auschwitz, but this year we also mark in Derby the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre and the 100th of the Armenian Genocide.
"We are delighted to have been selected to be part of this nationwide commemoration.
"It is vital that we remember and reflect upon the horrors of the past as well as honouring those who survived.
"It is also serves as a reminder that we must be aware of how these tragedies began.
"It is crucial that we talk to one another and learn about the things that unite us and overcome differences.
"Our group of volunteers is full of people from different communities and faiths and seeing how that can help foster ties between those people is fantastic."
The Holocaust Memorial Day programme featuring Derby will be shown on BBC2 at 7pm on Tuesday.
