'Inspiring' Holocaust survivor speaks about how he became scientist and writer

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27) we worked with the forum to hold an event at Glenmore House in Surbiton last Sunday.

I was honoured to attend this incredibly moving and poignant afternoon, to hear experiences of people affected by the Holocaust, and to challenge ourselves to learn the lessons of the past as we work for a safer and fairer future.

The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was ‘Bridging Generations’. We heard from Holocaust survivor Peter Laszlo Lantos about his experiences in Bergen-Belsen as a young child, and his incredible journey since then to give back to people – through his career in neuroscience, as an author, and in many other ways. A truly humbling experience to hear from such an inspiring man.

With music from the Kingston Liberal Synagogue Choir, the Children’s Cheder Choir and Rabbi Yechezkel, the event brought together people from across the community, from all faiths and none.

Patrons at the Tamil Harvest Festival 2026 (Image: Cllr Andreas Kirsch)

Chair of the forum Reverend Joe Moffat talked about a commitment made last January to a year of active solidarity. This wonderful interfaith organisation has turned that promise into practice, bringing people across the borough together in numerous ways to listen, learn, share and deepen understanding.

November’s Inter Faith Walk that visited six places of worship around Kingston, and signing up to the Hate Crime Community Pledge, are just a couple of examples of the partnership’s work.

Celebrating and honouring the different communities that make up our borough and building a more inclusive Kingston is central to so much of what we do with our partners. As the world grapples with complex challenges and some seek to pit communities against each other, here in Kingston we are finding ways to open up conversations, explore different perspectives and deepen understanding and respect.

Last Sunday was also the Tamil Heritage Month Harvest Festival, which I had the pleasure to attend. The rain could not dampen spirits at this vibrant community celebration at Richard Challoner School in New Malden, organised by the Kingston Tamil Heritage Group.

The day started with a colourful parade starting from the school gate. Musical and dance performances followed on the main stage, a fantastic celebration of Tamil heritage and culture and a fitting tribute to the central role the Tamil community plays in our borough.

Partners involved included the Centre for Community Development, the Institute of Tamil Culture Kingston Tamil School, Surrey Tamil School and the Tamil Information Centre.

As we look forward, I know that communities across Kingston will continue to work together with respect and warmth to deepen understanding. In February we will mark Race Equality Week, during which we will be sharing some of the oral histories of the borough uncovered through the Kingston Unwritten project.

Through the initiative community researchers and local groups brought to life seldom-heard stories of the generations of ordinary people who have made this borough their home. This will be another wonderful opportunity to share, listen and learn as we build an ever more inclusive borough.