By, Rosa Doherty
2 min read
ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced there will be a competition to design a Holocaust memorial next to Parliament.
During Prime Minster's questions Mrs May updated the House on plans to build a national Holocaust memorial and learning centre in Victoria Gardens, central London.
She said: “We need to ensure we never forget the horror of the Holocaust and it is right that we have agreed the national memorial will be in the gardens next to Parliament.
“Today the Communities’ Secretary will be announcing a competition for the design of that memorial and included among that will be a learning centre for people to learn about the enormous atrocities that took place.”
The competition organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants, is asking architects, artists and design experts from around the world to register their interest in the project.
Shortlisted teams will submit two designs: a new National memorial and a below-ground Learning Centre.
An independent panel will be appointed to judge the competition and an exhibition of the finalists’ designs will be held in central London in January 2017.
Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said she was “delighted” with the announcement.
“We are delighted that plans for the Holocaust memorial are getting underway and we look forward to seeing the proposed designs.
“It is right that this country will soon have a permanent fitting memorial to this period of history, particularly given its link to Britain – indeed Menachem Rosensaft, the son of two survivors of Bergen-Belsen, liberated by British troops, will be speaking at our appeal dinner this evening.”
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid said: “I am honoured to be supporting the important work of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
"This memorial will pay tribute to all those that suffered and will act as a reminder of where prejudice and hatred can lead. We will only ever banish intolerance by changing minds and by spreading understanding.”
The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis welcomed the announcement, saying: “This international design competition is a unique opportunity to enshrine the memory of the Shoah in British history for generations to come.
"It will shape how our children, and our children’s children find out about what happened during the Shoah and understand the importance of joining together to ensure it never happens again.
"The challenge is to create a sacred space for reflection, but also a place for learning in which people can take real meaning from history.
"I have no doubt that this competition will attract the quality of designs that this important memorial so richly deserves.”
Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, Sir Peter Bazalgette, said he was pleased so many British Holocaust survivors will get to witness nation's commitment to remembrance.
He said: "They can be safe in the knowledge that we will continue to stand up against prejudice and hatred.
“Our vision is to create a landmark of national significance, highlighting the importance and relevance of the Holocaust to the United Kingdom’s history.
"The winning design must convey the magnitude of what happened in a meaningful way, inspire reflection and compassion, whilst encouraging future generations to respect and embrace difference.”
Also adding his praise of today's announcement was Jonathan Arkush, president of the Board of Deputies.
He said: “Among the greatest tragedies in Jewish history, the Holocaust has universal lessons about how people should and should not treat one another. The Government’s continued energy and vigour on this is to be commended.”
The original plan was announced by David Cameron in January last year .
He announced a range of measures on Holocaust Memorial Day including setting up an endowment fund to secure the long-term future of Shoah education, and an urgent programme to record the testimony of British survivors and concentration camp liberators.
The winning design team will be announced in summer 2017.
