WORCESTERSHIRE’S largest social landlord has launched an arts competition in conjunction with last month’s Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) to raise awareness of the conditions which led to that genocide and others throughout history.
Representatives from Platform Housing Group attended an event in Worcester’s Guildhall on January 27 and is organising its contest, along with the University of Worcester, Worcestershire Interfaith Forum and Worcester City Council, on this year’s HMD theme of ‘One Day’.
Tom Piotrowski, Platform’s diversity and inclusion manager, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day offered a time to remember and to learn about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia,
Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, in the hope there may be One Day in the future with no genocide.
“We learn more about the past, we empathise with others today, and we take action for a better future – here at Platform we want to promote this ethos throughout the year.”
Yvonne Stollard, Chair of Worcestershire Interfaith Forum said: “Through Mindu Hornick’s testimony as a survivor of Auschwitz, and from the readings by the students, the Holocaust and subsequent genocides were horrendous events which had a terrible effect on people’s lives.
“It is necessary to hear about them and to learn about how they came to pass.”
There are two categories in the art competition – under 16 (for schools) and over 16 (including young adults and adults).
Community groups and youth groups can enter their submissions on behalf of their students and members for the under 16 category (individual submissions will not be accepted).
The first category is ‘art’ – including painting, drawing, other techniques and craft, the second is ‘poem’ – any form of poetry and ‘photography’ – black and white images interpreting the One Day theme.
Both individual and group entries will be accepted. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on April 4.
All entries in each category should be submitted to [email protected] with the words ‘HMD 2022 One Day Competition’ included in the email subject.
The top three entrants in each category will receive awards and the best work will be exhibited at The Hive and in other community hubs.
Call Tom Piotrowski on 01905 670 104 or email him at [email protected] for more information.
