RGS Marks Holocaust Memorial Day by Honouring the Past and Shaping the Future

Last Monday was Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. This year’s theme, ‘For a Better Future,’ encouraged reflection upon how we can contribute to a world free from prejudice and denial. RGS Worcester was honoured to participate in Worcester’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration Event at The Guildhall, hosted by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Mel Allcott, alongside the Worcestershire Interfaith Forum. The event featured readings from pupils from Worcester’s secondary schools and a keynote address by author Natalie Cumming, who shared the powerful story of her aunt Rosa, a violinist in the Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra. Rosa’s remarkable journey—from Berlin in the 1930s to surviving three concentration camps with her treasured violin—was recently documented on BBC’s The Repair Shop, highlighting the enduring significance of music, resilience, and remembrance.

RGS musicians from Years Ten and Eleven—Sihan Fu, Arthur Hasling, and Denis Goodwillie-Green—gave a moving performance of ‘Prayer’ by Ernest Bloch, specially arranged by Sihan for violin, viola, and piano, followed by the evocative theme song from Schindler’s List. Their performance was received with high praise, with many commenting on the sensitivity and confidence of their playing. Sihan reflected on the event, saying, “It was good to participate in an event like this, which remembered not only victims of the Holocaust but also other genocides throughout history. I found it eye-opening to learn about the experience of Natalie Cumming’s aunt and her violin during the Second World War.”

RGS artwork was also displayed, with a special installation by the Lower School using the image of birds to depict hope after tragedy. The event served as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembrance and the role education plays in shaping a better future.