Anniversary quilt to tell stories of the Holocaust

A quilt featuring the stories of 80 people who were affected by the Holocaust is being created by dozens of stitchers from across Derbyshire and beyond.

Organiser Laura Burrill, from Ashbourne, has invited the community to come together to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Day: 80 Candles Quilt project.

Each square on the “slow stitch” quilt will represent the story of a victim, survivor or anyone involved in the events that unfolded during World War Two.

The 46-year-old said the project will mark eight decades since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

During workshops in recent weeks, participants of all ages and backgrounds have come together to create the quilt's individual squares.

Mrs Burrill, a community arts facilitator, will stitch all 80 of them together before it goes on display at Derby Cathedral on 27 January.

She said: “I am passionate about using textiles as a way to bring people together and engage with past and present narratives which create positive change.

“Stitching allows for meaningful connection with subjects and facilitates conversation about things which can be really difficult and painful to talk about."

The organisations taking part include the Multi-Faith Centre in Derby, Brailsford Methodist Church, Ashbourne Methodist Church and the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne.

The quilt will travel around the UK to encourage further conversation and learning about the Holocaust, including to Nottinghamshire's National Holocaust Centre in April and at a synagogue in Nottingham for Yom HaShoah, Ms Burrell said.

She added: “Stitching also has the ability to bring people together from different communities and walks of life who perhaps wouldn't normally meet."

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