Manchester Together

Adina Pogor | 22nd May 2018

On May 22nd last year the city of Manchester was forever changed when a terrorist attack that left 22 people dead and multiple others injured was carried out at Manchester Arena, during an Ariana Grande concert. At exactly 10.31pm that night an improvised explosive device was detonated in the foyer of the building where young people and parents alike were enjoying a night out in town, celebrating music.

This act of cruelty and cowardice shook people to their core but didn’t divide them. Celebrities and public figures all over the world shared their messages of solidarity and support, including Ariana Grande herself, who only two weeks after the attack returned to Manchester to organise a benefit concert for the victims of the attack and their families.

The One Love Manchester concert was held on June 4th 2017 and included artists like Katy Perry, Little Mix, Justin Bieber, Niall Horan, Take That, Robbie Williams, Pharrell, Miley Cyrus, Marcus Mumford, Imogen Heap, The Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Liam Gallagher and Ariana Grande herself. The concert raised more than £10 million in the 12 hours following it for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, established by the Manchester City Council and the British Red Cross and managed to get together 55.000 people, proving that Manchester stays united and fear and hatred do not belong here.

 

 

Today, one year later, Manchester is celebrating the anniversary of the attack. On this difficult day, Mancunians are encouraged to pay homage to the victims of the attack and show solidarity and support, just as they did right after the attack and time and time again.

Multiple events were organised by Manchester City Council to mark this painful day in Manchester’s history. Today, on the day of the attack, a memorial service will take place at Manchester Cathedral, from 2-3pm, attended by families who lost their loved ones, people who were severely injured during the attack, civic leaders, first responders and national figures. A live stream of the service will take place at Cathedral Gardens in Manchester, York Minster, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral and will include a national one-minute silence at 2.30 pm, to remember the ones we lost in the attack.

In the evening, from 7-9pm, people are invited to Albert Square, for the With One Voice sing-along, where local choirs will perform a selection of songs that evoke unity, peace and strength and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester, Key 103 and various other stations.  The event is followed by a ringing of bells from the Town Hall, St. Ann’s Church and St Mary’s RC Church (the Hidden Gem) at 10.31pm, to mark exactly one year since the attack occured.

Music was, is and will continue to be a safe space for people all over the world to come together, undivided and be happy, that’s why for five nights, starting today until Saturday, May 26th, for the There Is A Light event, lyrics from songs chosen by the public will be displayed at St. Ann’s Square.

For people who want to leave a message to the city, to the people directly affected by the tragedy or even to themselves, a trail of 28 beautiful trees, The Trees of Hope Trail, can be found along a route from Victoria Station to St Ann’s Square from Saturday May 19th to Sunday May 27th, where they can write their message on specially-designed cardboard tags.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “None of us will ever forget the shocking events of 22 May 2017. The first anniversary of the attack is bound to be an emotional time and it has a different personal meaning for everyone affected by it. That is something which is reflected in the range of commemorative events.

“We will never forget the 22 people, including children, who lost their lives and many others who were badly hurt or traumatised. They remain in the forefront of our thoughts and at the heart of the anniversary programme.”

BBC5Live are also doing a social media campaign encouraging people to post pictures of their bees – whether it would be tattoos, drawings, jewellery – on their social media, with the hashtag #ManchesterBuzz, in memory of those lost in the attack.

 

May 22nd will forever be a difficult day for Manchester, but with music, love and unity, nothing can bring this city down.