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Commemorations
Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert, Tuesday 9th November 2021
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A tribute to the "The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz", this year’s Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert tells the stories of the lives of three women through the evening’s music programme.
Journeying from pre-war Europe through the horrors of the war, recounting the many roles music played in their lives – resistance, survival, resilience, and a means to battle racism, fascism and hatred. The stories of the lives of Alma Rosé (violinist and conductor) and others will be shared through this unique concert, and Clare Galambos Winter’s violin will be played. MC Donald Maurice MNZM, with narration by Inbal Megiddo and Sharn Maree Cassady. The concert musicians are: Amalia Hall, Violin, Martin Riseley, Violin, Inbal Megiddo, Cello, Kristallnacht Ensemble Presented by The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, in partnership with New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington. Supported by The Public Trust Hall and building owners Maurice and Kaye Clark, The Adam Foundation and the Council of Jewish Women. In commemoration of the night of 9-10 November 1938, when carefully orchestrated anti-Jewish violence was carried out throughout the German Reich. Over the next 48 hours rioters - often neighbours, not strangers – ransacked and damaged more than 7,500 Jewish businesses and burned over 200 synagogues. Police stood by and did nothing to stop the destruction. Firemen were present not to protect the synagogues or Jewish buildings but to ensure that the flames did not spread to adjacent “Aryan” property. Jewish cemeteries were desecrated. The pogrom was given the name Kristallnacht (“Crystal Night,” or “Night of Broken Glass”), referring ironically to the litter of broken glass left in the streets. It marked the beginning of the systematic eradication of a people and it was the prelude to the Holocaust that was to follow. |
Yom HaShoah, Thursday 8th April 2021
The Wellington Jewish community, members of the interfaith community, members of the diplomatic corp, local council and members of parliament came together to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Shoah at a very moving event in the Myers Hall. Thank you to all participants and guests for making this meaningful event very special.
#WeRemember
#WeRemember
United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Wednesday 27 January 2021
New Zealand Remembers
January 27, 2021 marked the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In Aotearoa New Zealand , one of few countries in a Covid-ravaged world still able to have large gatherings, hundreds came together across the country to remember the 6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, and the many millions of other innocent victims killed by the Nazi war machine, as well as to honour the survivors who made their way to New Zealand and contributed to the fabric of our society - the theme for this year’s UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorations in New Zealand being “We are still here”.
In attendance were Holocaust survivors and their descendants, the Governor-General the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, Robyn Baker Chair of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, leaders, and members of the Jewish and interfaith communities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, and ex MPs, Mayors and City councillors.
In attendance were Holocaust survivors and their descendants, the Governor-General the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, Robyn Baker Chair of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, leaders, and members of the Jewish and interfaith communities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, and ex MPs, Mayors and City councillors.
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Read speeches below
Auckland photos: Charlotte Turner Photography. Wellington photos: Photography by Woolf
Thank you to the following partners whose support enabled commemorations around Aotearoa New Zealand.
