6 Million + Every Person Counts

Today was yet another day when the main event was overshadowed by something entirely unplanned and unexpected. The unexpected first.

Driving back from Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal (the main event) this afternoon, I decided on the spur of the moment to stop in Ripon, for no good reason other than that it was dominated by a rather grand cathedral. The cathedral was indeed very old and beautiful - all the more so because there was a violin and cello quartet practising for an evening concert. It also had some stunning examples of modern ecclesiastical art.

But the thing that stopped me in my tracks was the 6 Million + Every Person Counts installation. It had me in tears. If you are reading this blog PLEASE have a look at one or both of these links...

http://www.digyorkshire.com/HighlightDetails.aspx?Article=564
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/ripon/4860968.Remembering_the_six_million/

I have never experienced a more powerful way of conveying the enormity of the Holocaust. And the community made it possible - with their contributions of buttons. What better way to involve children in learning about the Nazi Holocaust - and subsequent genocides. It reminded me, just a year ago, of being in Tuol Sleng -  the Khmer Rouge security prison (now a genocide museum) in Phnom Penh.

I didn't take any photos inside. This is the banner outside Ripon Cathedral, announcing the installation.