“Holocaust remembrance has become a cornerstone of European memory and this year’s theme, 'Bridging Generations', is both a call to action and a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors – it lives on through all of us,” said Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, in a statement on the occasion of International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (27 January).

“We must all engage actively with the past – to listen, to learn and to carry its lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, and between history and a better future. Local and regional authorities play a key role in upholding the commemorative culture related to the Holocaust, including through relevant campaigns and school curricula.

“Cities and regions use monuments, memorial parks, memorial paving stones, museums, public art, historical markers, and even street names – to raise awareness on dramatic historical events such as the Holocaust. They can also promote remembrance visits to Holocaust sites and museums as part of local and regional history education. Passing facts and lessons about the Holocaust from one generation to the next is of utmost importance – and local and regional history teaching offers significant opportunities to connect students to their regional communities, cultures, and historical legacies, many of which have direct experience of the Holocaust. Rejecting and combating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism and promoting human rights and democratic values, such as mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue, are essential to ensure that the dark lessons of the past are never to be forgotten”, stated President Cools.

At its session in March 2026, the Congress will debate a report on regional history teaching and, at its October 2026 session, a report on contested, conflicting and forgotten memories.

Contact: Congress Communication Unit, tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 38 90