The Centre for German-Jewish Studies marked the anniversary yesterday (27 January) of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau with the award of an honorary doctorate to the chairman of its support group, Max Kochmann. After the graduation ceremony, Lord Attenborough opened the Centre's new archive and research unit in the Library.
The occasion also coincided with the annual Holocaust Memorial Day in Germany. Prime Minister Tony Blair announced on Wednesday that from 2001 the UK will join Germany in marking 27 January every year with a day of remembrance.
Mr Kochmann, who was a refugee from Nazi oppression in the 1930s, said: "Like many others, I see the idea of a Holocaust Memorial Day as an opportunity to encourage education and understanding of the factors, prejudice and racism that caused these developments to succeed."
"But the day should be for remembering all people who have been victims of oppression because they are 'different', wherever it is happening in the world. That's the lesson learned from the Holocaust and that lesson will continue." |
Max Kochmann |
Lord Attenborough presented honorary degrees at this week's graduation ceremonies to three other people who are closely associated with the University:
Humphrey Spender was one of the first participants in the Mass-Observation project, taking photographs of Bolton in Lancashire during the late 1930s. The Gardner Arts Centre hosted his first one-man photographic exhibition, Worktown, in 1977.
Bob Copper writes and sings about a folk tradition that he has lived. | Sussex folklorist Bob Copper is renowned for his songs and tales from rural downland villages. He has written many books about the county, including A Song for Every Season and Bob Copper's Sussex. "It's extremely gratifying to receive this degree", said Bob. "I am not an academic type." |
Dr George Poste was born in Polegate. An internationally recognised expert in genetics and cancer, he was until recently Chief Science and Technology Officer at SmithKline Beecham.
