2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Holocaust Memorial Day is held on 27th January each year to remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. (The 27th of January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.)
The 80 Candles Quilt is a collaboratively created memorial quilt, representing the stories of 80 individuals affected by the Nazi regime. The aim of the project has been to humanise the victims of mass genocide, encourage education through personal research, broaden understanding of the breadth of persecution and encourage active compassion which creates positive change.
Participants have researched and connected with real human stories of persecution, loss and survival which they have translated into beautiful slow stitched squares. The act of stitching both in solitary (via postal packs) and in community workshops has provided space and opportunity for deep impactful connection and compelling visual story telling. Through workshops held across the region including at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, The Multi Faith Centre, Ashbourne Cornerstone Café, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and Brailsford Methodist Church, the project has involved more than 60 individuals from across the UK with diverse faith and cultural backgrounds including The Derbyshire Jewish Community Group.
Each slow stitched square contains the image of a candle, which represents a specific individual, and in some way visually tells viewers something of the person selected. Base fabrics have been provided to each participant. These sit within a colour pallet inspired by the piles of suitcases and shoes on display in Auschwitz. In addition, red has been included in the form of the embroidery thread (DMC 817), this inclusion relates to a Chinese proverb and recuring theme within my textile work. Participants have been encouraged to use this thread mindfully, creating a connection between them and the person they have chosen to honor.
An invisible red thread connections those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.
Each completed work measures 18cm square, which has significance and meaning in honoring the life the embroidered square represents. In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. The number 10 is the letter Yud. The number 8 is the letter, Het. Het-Yud spells the word Chai (חי), usually pronounced like the English word “hi” or “high,” which is a word and symbol that means “life.” A common Jewish toast “L’chaim!”, which means “To Life!”, is often said at celebrations in anticipation of all the good things to come. At weddings, bar mitzvahs, and when making honorary donations, Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life” or luck.
The quilt will be displayed in the at The Multi Faith Centre and Derby Cathedral as part of the National Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations on Monday 27th January, it will then travel around the region including being part of an exhibition at the National Holocaust Centre in Newark later in the year.
Opportunities to see the quilt…
Private Participants Unveiling – Saturday 18th January, Multi Faith Centre, 2pm – 4pm Book tickets here
Performance for Peace – Saturday 25th January, No 28 Belper, 3.30pm – 5pm. Find out more here
Holocaust Memorial Day Interfaith Remembrance Event – Monday 27th January, Multi Faith Centre, 10am – 11.30am. Book tickets here
Derby Holocaust Memorial Day Event at the Cathedral – Monday 27th January, 2pm & 7pm.
Holocaust Memorial Day Light the Darkness – Monday 27th January, Multi Faith Centre, TBC – Illumination of the Multi Faith Centre with projection of the 80 Candles Quilt onto the building.
Pop-Up Exhibition Swadlincote – Tuesday 28th January – Thursday 6th February, Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre Gallery
Pop-Up Exhibition Ashbourne – Monday 10th February, Cornerstone Cafe, Ashbourne, 2pm – 4pm
Pop-Up Exhibition Belper– Friday 28th February, No 28 Belper, 12noon – 2pm Monthly Welcome Meal supported by Unite, Co-Op and Belper Town Council. Everyone welcome, enjoy a bowl of soup and a delicious pudding and pay what you can.
Pop-Up Exhibition & Fundraiser – Saturday 29th March – Brailsford Methodist Church Come along and see the 80 Candles Quilt, meet participants and hear about their research and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake. All funds raised will go towards the project, continuing exhibition and to fund the publication of a book sharing the stories contained within the quilt.
Yom HaShoah Exhibition – April – Nottingham Liberal Synagogue
Postcards and project booklets are now on sale for a suggested donation of £2 each to help towards funding the publication of a book to support the project and share the stories it contains. These are available at exhibitions and events.
This project has funded through a community Crowdfunding campaign. Further sponsors and supporters are sought to help further development of the project including printed ID cards to sit alongside the quilt when displayed, a book sharing the research carried out and ongoing exhibition costs such as transport and display.
What is slow stitching?
Slow stitching is a calm and relaxed explorative practice, there is no right or wrong. It is an opportunity to listen to your own inner creative voice and create pieces which are meaningful to you.
Guided by the Japanese philosophy of ‘Wabi-Sabi’ my slow stitching workshops are focused on encouraging participants to embrace slowness, process and beauty in imperfection. I invite participants to incorporate the stories and memories held within cloth to document important personal narratives and express their inner voice. The beautiful, tactile objects created then act as a tangible invitation for further conversation, discussion and remembrance.
No previous needlework experience is required to create beautiful slow stitched pieces. The process utilises very simple stitches such as running stitch, the only requirement is the ability to hold a needle.
Timescale: September 2024 – January 2025
This project is supported and funded by:
Every Stitch A Story 