This week I had the privilege of attending, and helping to open, the powerful exhibition Between Life and Death: Holocaust Rescue Stories, now on display at The Hive in Worcester.

The exhibition opened just a week after Holocaust Memorial Day, a time when we pause to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others persecuted by the Nazi regime. That timing is significant. Remembrance cannot be confined to a single day; it must be something we continue, deepen and renew through learning, reflection and dialogue.

The opening event itself reflected that shared commitment. Speeches were given by several attendees, including the organisers of the exhibition, Worcestershire Interfaith Forum, Louis Stephen, Chair of Worcestershire County Council, and myself as Mayor of Worcester. We were also honoured to be joined by Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, whose address underlined the vital role of education and research in challenging distortion, denial and hatred.

It was particularly special to welcome Beata Drzazga, one of the exhibition’s organisers, who flew from Warsaw to attend the opening in person. This exhibition exists in only two versions worldwide: the other is currently displayed at the United Nations in New York. Worcester is only the second location in the UK to host it, which is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Another deeply moving contribution came from Samantha Lewkowicz, Holocaust Education Officer at the Union of Jewish Students. She spoke powerfully about the challenges still facing those working to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, especially as the number of survivors and direct witnesses continues to decline. Her words were a stark reminder that remembrance cannot be taken for granted.

In my own remarks, I reflected on my personal connection to this history. I studied History at the University of Worcester, and the Holocaust has been an enduring interest of mine since childhood. One of the books that left a lasting impression on me was The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer, which opens with George Santayana’s warning: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That sentence has stayed with me ever since.

What makes Between Life and Death especially compelling is its focus on rescue. Spanning 14 European countries, it tells the stories of individuals who, in the darkest of times, chose humanity over fear. These were often ordinary people faced with extraordinary moral choices, whose actions meant the difference between life and death.

The exhibition is free to visit at The Hive until 28 February, and I would strongly encourage residents and visitors alike to engage with it thoughtfully. By remembering stories of rescue, we honour those who survived, those who helped them, and the enduring importance of never forgetting.