2008 Crocus Project

The 2009 Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration will be held in the Braid Theatre, Ballymena and as part of the 2009 commemoration the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister invited year 7 pupils in primary schools in the Ballymena area to plant crocuses in memory of the children who were victims of the Holocaust. The aim of the exercise is to introduce the message of the Holocaust to new generations to encourage remembrance of the Holocaust victims and help ensure the lessons of history are understood.

The yellow flowers recall the yellow star all Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule. If planted in the autumn, the bulbs bloom around the end of January in time for Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January.

The original 'Crocus Project' was initiated by the Holocaust Educational Trust of Ireland and their website - www.holocausteducationaltrustireland.org - provides further information, including teaching materials.

Some crocus bulbs were also planted in the grounds of Stormont Castle by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA and Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLA, assisted by local school children from Strandtown Primary School and St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood.

Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLA, Rebecca Johnstone, Strandtown Primary School, Matthew Crozier, St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA.

Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLA, Ethan Gilbert and Rebecca Johnstone, Strandtown Primary School, Matthew Crozier and Bethany Churchman, St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA.

Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLA, Ethan Gilbert, Strandtown Primary School, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA and Bethany Churchman, St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood.