Some of East Dunbartonshire's best-known buildings will be temporarily turning purple on Wednesday 27 January as the Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Kirkintilloch Community Hub and William Patrick Library building, Milngavie Town Hall and Bearsden Community Hub will be bathed in purple light as people, groups and organisations across the world join together to remember the millions of people who have been murdered, or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition, during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.
The Council has commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day every year since 2007 and in 2017 hosted Scotland’s national Holocaust Memorial Day event at Bishopbriggs Academy.
Joint Council leader Andrew Polson said, "This is an important commemoration event for East Dunbartonshire Council each year and reminds us how important it is to confront all forms of hatred and discrimination.
"The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 is Be the light in the darkness. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide."
Joint Council leader Vaughan Moody added, "Increasing levels of denial, division and misinformation in today’s world mean we must remain vigilant against hatred and identity-based hostility.
"Rapid technological developments and world events beyond our control can leave us feeling helpless and insignificant. The utterly unprecedented times through which we are living currently are showing the very best of which humanity is capable but also - in some of the abuse being spread on social media - the much darker side of our world as well.
"We can choose to be the light in the darkness in a variety of ways and places – at home, in public, and online."
Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated internationally on 27 January each year. This date was chosen as it is the anniversary of the day in 1945 on which the Soviet Army liberated the largest Nazi concentration camp – Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Further information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be found by visiting the Holocaust Memorial Day website [opens in a new window].