Huddersfield Holocaust educational centre rebrands to reflect its wider role in the north

Huddersfield University’s Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre has rebranded to reflect a wider northern involvement.

It will now be known as Holocaust Centre North and work with survivors from the whole of the region. It will also take on a greater educational role.

The rebrand was marked by a visit from West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who praised the centre as “an incredibly valuable resource for Yorkshire. I’m really pleased to see it taking on a more prominent role to become a voice for the north.

“Our region has a proud history of welcoming people fleeing persecution from all over the world and the centre’s hard work in promoting tolerance and understanding has never been more needed.

“We need to ensure younger generations learn the lessons of the Holocaust to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

The centre’s director, Alessandro Bucci, explained that the decision to expand its remit reflected the need for a stronger voice against rising antisemitism and intolerance.

“Our centre is founded on the basic truth that no one is born hating another person. Antisemitism, like all other forms of prejudice and racism, is learned behaviour. But hate can be unlearned by teaching tolerance and understanding.

“We are a survivor-led organisation and we owe it to them to continue their legacy. That means broadening our activities across the north, taking a fresh approach and amplifying their voices.”

The centre will be delivering activities in primary and secondary schools and an artist residency programme. It has also committed to increasing the size of its archive by 50 per cent and safeguarding at least 10,000 rare and fragile items.