People of all ages joined together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day at Scotland's national event in East Dunbartonshire last night (Thursday 26 January).
A poignant ceremony was held in Bishopbriggs Academy - combining powerful testimonies, music, art, drama and the lighting of memorial candles.
International speakers included author Saskia Tepe, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Umutesi Stewart, survivor of the Rwandan Genocide.
Guests - who included Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney MSP - also heard from Bishopbriggs Academy pupils who had visited Auschwitz.
There were performances from East Dunbartonshire Senior Strings schools orchestra, Boclair Academy Creative Arts Group, Lenzie Academy S3 Drama Group and Bishopbriggs Academy Choir.
In addition, there was artwork on display from the Learning Centre at HMP Low Moss and Bishopbriggs Academy.
East Dunbartonshire Council has been working in partnership with Interfaith Scotland and the Scottish Government to raise awareness of the 2017 Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) theme: "How can life go on?"
Provost of East Dunbartonshire, Councillor Una Walker, welcomed guests, who included representatives of a range of faith groups, community organisations, schools and community councils, as well as local and national politicians.
Provost Walker, said, "It was a genuine honour to host Scotland's Holocaust Memorial event on Thursday 26 January - the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.
"Commemorating the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz helps the world to remember everyone affected by the Holocaust, as well as other terrible genocides around the world in places such as Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
"I want to pay tribute to everyone involved - particularly Saskia and Umutesi, who delivered incredibly powerful testimonies about the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide.
"It was an extremely poignant and thought-provoking event - and a timely reminder of why we must never forget the horrors of the past or our responsibility to act to prevent history repeating itself."
Dr Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith Scotland, said, "The theme for Holocaust Memorial 2017 - How can life go on? - reminds us that living on after terror, trauma and loss is a painful process.
"Scotland acknowledges this and it was a privilege to work with East Dunbartonshire Council to host a befitting national Scottish Holocaust Memorial event at Bishopbriggs Academy.
"Sadly the horrors of genocide, war and displacement continue to blight our world and Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us there is still so much to do."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said, "We must never forget that the Holocaust and other atrocities, such as Rwanda, Srebrenica and Darfur, are the consequence of the denial of basic human rights and freedoms, and when bigotry and intolerance are allowed to flourish.
"This commemoration was a powerful way to remember these lessons. It is only through learning the lessons of the past that we can create a future in which all our communities can prosper together in peace, which is why I intend to accompany a school visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau later this year."
The event included a moving rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' by East Dunbartonshire Senior Strings schools orchestra with singer Holly Murphy and a concluding prayer courtesy of Rabbi Rubin from Giffnock Synagogue.
- For more information, visit the Interfaith website
- A variety of events were held in East Dunbartonshire to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2017:
- East Dunbartonshire Senior Strings schools orchestra performed at a Peace and Reconciliation Service in Glasgow University Chapel on Sunday 22 January
- An event was held at HMP Low Moss Learning Centre on Monday (23) with the international speakers
- Saskia and Umutesi also attended an event at St Ninian's High for the Kirkintilloch secondary schools cluster and an event at Boclair Academy for Bearsden and Milngavie schools on Tuesday (24)
- Both speakers also attended an event at Bishopbriggs Academy on Thursday (26) for pupils from the Bishopbriggs secondary schools cluster
- Local primary schools produced artwork which was displayed at the secondary schools.
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