DESPITE the lockdown people can still pay their respects to the victims of the Holocaust.

Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar AM is encouraging people to follow the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation's (HMF) advice and continue the Holocaust remembrance by getting creative.

The HMF is inviting people to paint a stone in remembrance of the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust and all other victims of Nazi persecution as well as those murdered in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Mr Millar said: “The Holocaust was a terrible and defining episode of the twentieth century, which undoubtedly changed the course of history, and it is important that we remember it.

“It is open to people of all ages and backgrounds and you don’t have to be an artist. Every stone is unique and the simplest of designs or a few words can be extremely powerful.

“People are encouraged to be uplifting with their creations and to think about images of beauty and life. They are also encouraged to think about a future free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination and hatred and to portray this on their stone. Words such as peace, unity and acceptance are powerful ones.

“Foundation Stones is a great project to get all the family involved in and is a great way of educating our children about the Holocaust, whilst encouraging them to be creative."

Foundation Stones from across the United Kingdom will be laid within the foundations of the new UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London.

How to take part:

  1. Find a stone which fits in the palm of your hand. If you are able to go outside, try looking in your street or local park.
  2. Think about what you want to say on your stone. Are you remembering a particular person, group or genocide? Are you saying something about your hopes for the future?
  3. Decorate your Foundation Stones. For this, you can use anything you have in the house. Paints, pens, collage, even nail varnish will work.
  4. Share photos of your stones on social media using #FoundationStonesAtHome and tag a friend who you would like to see take part.
  5. Upload photos of your Foundation Stones by visiting big-ideas.org/foundationstonesathome and see your stones added to our interactive map of Foundation Stones from across the UK.
  6. Once you are able to go outside email FoundationStones@Big-Ideas.org for the postal address and send your safely packaged Foundation Stones to be included in the foundations of the Memorial. Foundation Stones is running throughout 2020 so there is no rush for you to send in your stone.