THE Holocaust has been remembered by schoolchildren across Swansea with a series of special events and assemblies.
Cefn Hengoed Community School took the lead role on behalf of all children in Swansea as part of official commemorations of the day.
Pupils in years seven and eight staged a special assembly featuring music, poetry and drama for their peers.
They also invited special guests such as Norma Glass, a board member of the Deputies of British Jews, and the Lord Mayor Richard Lewis.
Heather Cooper, assistant head teacher at Cefn Hengoed, said Holocaust Memorial Day held a special place in the school's calendar, especially because some children from the local Polish community attend the school.
Mrs Cooper said: "The Polish children interviewed their grandparents about their experiences and they read them out at the special assembly.
"It was very poignant and the direct link between the generations makes it very real for everyone."
Millions of Jews were killed during the time of Adolf Hitler's rule over Germany before and during the Second World War.
Many hundreds of thousands of Poles were among those who perished in Auschwitz — one of a number of Nazi concentration camps in the country. Its liberation on January 27, 1945, is commemorated by Holocaust Memorial Day.
She said: "We have children from 20 or 30 nationalities attending the school and they learn so much about respect for other people and other cultures on account of that.
"It's through special assemblies like these that pupils learn about the importance of treating people equally."
Mrs Glass praised Cefn Hengoed for its commemoration and the special ceremony which was held at the city's Guildhall, adding they were very moving.
She said: "I know many schools in Swansea were holding Holocaust Memorial Day events.
"When you see young children actively taking part in remembering the victims of the Holocaust it does give you some hope.
"They performed music from a Spielberg film about the Holocaust and delivered some recitals.
"It was a privilege to be among the audience at Cefn Hengoed. The staff and pupils there went to a great deal of effort to present such a moving assembly.
"The message about Holocaust Memorial Day is still relevant today, especially given the genocide which is ongoing in places such as Darfur."
helen.keates@swwmedia..co.uk
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