Coventry Blitz 75th commemorations
For many people living in Coventry, the Blitz will remain forever etched on their memories. 75 years after that terrible, tragic and cruel night hundreds of people gathered to mark its anniversary.
For many who lived through the Blitz, although time has moved on their memories are still crystal clear. The sounds, the smells, the pain of that night still vivid, still clear: it will be a poignant moment to reflect on the experiences of a night that the city will never forget.
On Saturday 14 November Coventry marked the 75th anniversary of the Blitz.
Coventry has become a powerful symbol worldwide for peace and reconciliation because of the way people dealt with the tragedy of the event.
On the evening of Saturday 14 November, the city created a giant Human Chain of Peace and Light in the city centre, finishing at the Cathedral.
Each person attending carried a light along the chain to symbolise communities joining together in a universal message of remembering the past but looking to the future.
The inspiration for the Human Chain came from Dresden where a similar event takes place annually and attracts thousands of people from across the country.
Councillor Ann Lucas, Leader of Coventry City Council, said that every year the anniversary of the Blitz becomes more significant. "It's incredibly important," she explained. "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."
The Blitz 75th commemorations programme also offered a range of events, activities and opportunities to mark the anniversary with Coventry Cathedral holding a special one-off concert on the Saturday night with the St 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 added: "As a Cathedral famous for its role worldwide in promoting peace and reconciliation, it's also great to be able to build on the many examples of good work."
An annual global peace forum was held in Coventry from Wednesday 11 November to Friday 13 November featuring leading figures from across the world.