Young people from across Staffordshire are teaming up with the New Vic to speak up and speak out against prejudice to mark United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day.

Hosted by award-winning New Vic Borderlines, the event, on Monday 6 February, will bring together colleges and schools to tackle racism and prejudice through drama, dance and song focusing on the theme Speak Up Speak Out.

Students from Stoke-on-Trent College and Stafford College will be joined on the New Vic stage by pupils from the Co-operative Academy, St Margaret Ward Catholic School, Hollywall Primary School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and the theatre’s Young People’s Theatre Company to present drama, dance and music devised in workshops.

Borderlines Director Sue Moffat said: “This year, as well as remembering those whose lives have been affected by the Holocaust and other acts against humanity, we are honouring two Holocaust Survivors Waldemar and Ibi Ginsburg and Sidney Morris, all of whom supported the event at the New Vic for several years but who sadly are no longer with us.

“They used their voices to speak up about where prejudice and hatred lead, and now in their absence it is more important than ever that young people follow their powerful example and use their own voices to speak up and speak out on behalf of those who can not.”

Borderlines is linking the event with an exciting new project, Travellers’ Tales, which has been developed with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and will see young people work with the travelling community.

Sue said: “The Travellers’ Tales project will allow new insights to replace stereotypes and build an understanding of a particular way of life and culture which has been a part of British heritage for more than 500 years.

“During the Holocaust the nomadic communities of Europe experienced terrible horrors including being sent to places such as Auschwitz. If the racism of the Nazi’s had taken root in the UK then our own travelling communities might have experienced the same.”

Sue added: “These projects are about community cohesion and building relationships. It is about building strong and successful communities which value individuals. It is about recognising our common humanity and having the courage to speak up and speak out for those whose voices have been taken from them or have been distorted through fear or prejudice.” 

The event has been developed in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

To arrange tickets telephone Adhia Mahmood on 01782 381368 or e-mail amahmood@newvictheatre.org.uk.