BUILDINGS around Durham turned purple as part of a series of events to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

Several exhibitions have been held to mark the day of commemoration, which is held annually on January 27 to coincide with the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp.

On Saturday, Durham County Council hosted an exhibition at Durham Town Hall exploring the Nazi persecution of Jews, the Romani Holocaust and later genocides in Darfur, Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda.

It also featured a display about the Durham Light Infantry’s involvements in the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen death camp.

Meanwhile 250 school children took part in workshops at Durham Cathedral, which also hosted an exhibition about Nazi persecution of gipsies.

Councillor Jane Brown said: “We hope the events will help to raise awareness of the positive effect kind words, or acts of kindness, can have on people and assist in inspiring community cohesion.”

Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from Durham and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors.”