Holocaust Memorial Day: 80 Candles Quilt Workshop with Every Stitch A Story

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Join Community Arts Practitioner Laura Burrill to explore stories of some of those affected by the Holocaust and help create a slow stitch patchwork memory quilt to bear witness for those who endured genocide and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.

Inspired by Holocaust Memorial Day Trusts‘ 2025 theme, the quilt will depict 80 candles, each candle will represent an individual affected by the holocaust. Through this fully facilitated workshop participants will be guided through the process of crafting their own slow stitched square dedicated to someone whose story they would like to honor. This could be a survivor, a relative or a stranger whose story is inspirational. 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.

Each square will contain a candle and, in some way, share a little of the personal story. These will be supported by a ‘story card’ which further shares details of the person commemorated / honoured. During workshops participants will be encouraged to share some of their research with fellow participants.

Workshops are free to attend, donations towards costs of materials and artist time welcome. Crowdfunding: Holocaust Memorial Day: 80 Candles Quilt Project - a Community crowdfunding project in Ashbourne by Laura Burrill

More information about the project can be found Collaboration & Community – Every Stitch A Story

About the artist: Laura is passionate about creating textiles which document and share important stories. Working collaboratively within community settings she focuses on developing and facilitating large scale creative textiles projects which empower individuals through creative practice, encouraging reflection, generating conversation and driving positive transformational change.