The Holocaust is still a vital element of the national curriculum.

That is the view of Cedric Rebuck, chairman of the Canterbury Jewish Community, speaking on Holocaust Memorial Day.

“The generation who actually remember the events are getting older and older and disappearing,” he said.

“It’s important that new generations should be aware of the problems hatred can cause, and guard against it.”

Mr Rebuck was speaking at a number of talks and seminars held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at the Westgate Hall, Cantebrury.

Among the speakers was Dutchman Erwin David, now living in Whitstable, who talked of his time in Auschwitz.

On January 27, 1945, Russian forces liberated Auschwitz and since 2001 the day has become a national event.

Watch our video from Holocaust Memorial Day events above

Mr David, aged 18 at the time of the Holocaust, was employed as an electrician at the neighbouring Birkenau labour camp and was among the thousands fortunate enough to be freed.

“He spoke of his personal involvement as a survivor from Auschwitz,” said Robert Brown, chairman of the Kent Council of Christians and Jews.

“It’s good to have these accounts because sadly, there are still Holocaust deniers and if you have a survivor, it really speaks for itself.”

Other speakers included Sam Day, a sixth form student at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys. Sam recalled his trip to Auschwitz last year and his reactions to experiencing the atmosphere of the concentration camp.

•For more on Holocaust Memorial Day, see this week’s Kentish Gazette