Council and Cathedral announce special events to mark 75th Coventry Blitz anniversary - The Coventry Observer

Council and Cathedral announce special events to mark 75th Coventry Blitz anniversary

Coventry Editorial 1st Sep, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

TO MARK 75 days until the 75th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz plans for a special commemorative event have been revealed.

Coventry City Council and Coventry Cathedral have both announced plans to mark the occasion on November 14 – a date which is embedded into the history of the city and its role as worldwide city of peace and reconciliation.

This year will mark the first annual global peace forum, Rising 15 from Wedneday, November 11 until Friday, November 13.

The joint venture from Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry Cathedral will welcome leading figures from across the globe, including Gordon Brown, to discuss new ways of thinking about peace and conflict in the modern world.




On the evening of Saturday, November 14, the Council will create a giant Human Chain of Peace and Light from the city centre to the Cathedral with each attendee carrying a light to symbolise communities joining together in a universal message of remembrance.

The inspiration for the Human Chain comes from Dresden where a similar event takes place annually and attracts thousands of people from across the country.


Coun Ann Lucas, Leader of Coventry City Council said it was important the city continued to mark the November 14 anniversary.

She added: “With each passing year the relevance of the human tragedy of the event and how Coventry rallied to become the city of peace and reconciliation grows in significance.

“Whilst remembering the horror of 1940 is vitally important, it’s also key we view this as an opportunity for looking forward and ensuring that people and communities come together as a city to work towards a place we can all be proud of.”

The Cathedral will play host to a special one-off concert on November 14 with the Saint Michael’s Singers performing Mozart’s Requiem and Solemn Vespers with the Parliament Choir and the English Symphony Orchestra.

The Reverend Canon Dr Sarah Hills, Canon for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, welcomed the news that the city was to host a programme of commemorative events.

She added: “As a Cathedral famous for its role world-wide in promoting peace and reconciliation, it’s also great to be able to build on the many examples of good work that local people and community organisations have already been involved with in working towards peace and friendship across the city and to understand more about conflict.

“The Cathedral will be playing an active role in not only the Blitz 75th Commemorations programme but also the accompanying Coventry Peace Festival and the recently announced Rising 15 too.”

More events, activities and an official logo will be unveiled the run-up to the anniversary.

To keep up to date with further details about Blitz 75 events and activities visit www.coventry.gov.uk/events while further information about Rising 15 can be found at www.rising.org

More information about the Saint Michael’s Singers concert at Coventry Cathedrale can be found online at www.saintmichaelssingers.org and ticket information can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0844 477 1000.

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