A Holocaust survivor will speak to an audiences about her experience during the Second World War at a ceremony in recognition of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Hannah Brief, 73, a Manor Road resident spent time in several Nazi cocnentration camps before she was saved by Russians. The Stoke Newington Resident said: “I chose to speak because fewer and fewer people are alive nowadays and we owe it to our 6m martyrs whose blood was shed for nothing but evil. Somebody has to stand up for them.”

The event will be held on January 27, at Hackney Town Hall, to remember those who have suffered and died as a result of genocide worldwide.

This year’s international Holocaust Memorial Day, marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp.

July 2015 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia, in which 8,000 Muslim men and boys killed.

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated each year as a nationwide event with 2,400 local activities taking place across the UK.

The day is designed to encourage residents to remember genocides that have taken place in countries such as Bosnia and Darfur, as well as the Holocaust imposed by the Nazi regime.

The theme of this year’s commemorations is “keep the memory alive”, and calls on those who have no direct experience of the holocaust to ensure that it is not forgotten.

As well as the speech by Ms Brief, the ceremony, will include songs, readings, candle lighting and Simon Marks Jewish Primary School, in Cazenove Road, will also be taking part.

At the end of the ceremony, the Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Sharon Patrick, will lay a floral tribute at the Holocaust Memorial Tree in the Town Hall square.

Cllr Sharon Patrick said: “As we approach two major genocide anniversaries, it is particularly appropriate that this year’s theme is all about memory.

“The theme enables survivors to be at the heart of Holocaust Memorial Day. It also allows us to remember those terrible events of the past and learn lessons for our future to ensure past evils are not repeated.”

Pre-registration for the event is needed: 020 8356 3591