‘THE POWER of community, creativity and compassion’ will be celebrated at Coventry’s annual Peace Festival next month.
Taking place from November 1 to 16, this year’s Festival will reflect Coventry’s role as a City of Peace and Reconciliation with two weeks of free events and activities.
This year’s programme marks the poignant 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, with events and activities reflecting on the city’s resilience, creativity and community spirit.
A highlight will be a monument installation in the city centre inspired by Coventry Cathedral, using 1,300 specially made cardboard boxes crafted by people of Coventry. Standing around 20 metres tall, the structure will symbolise unity, remembrance and hope.
The Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture, delivered by international human rights activist Mandy Sanghera OBE, will take place on Thursday November 6 at Coventry Cathedral. Her talk will explore her pioneering work supporting victims of honour-based violence and cultural abuse, and how communities can stand together against injustice.
Other highlights include the Coventry Multifaith Peace Walk on November 1, a workshop on the Heritage Craft of Woodcarving inviting participants to carve their own dove of peace (November 4 and 11), and the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade at War Memorial Park (November 9).
A student-led discussion on digital peacebuilding takes place on November 13, and a Civil Service and Vigil at Coventry Cathedral to mark the 85th anniversary of Coventry Blitz on November 14.
November 15 brings Reborn Phoenix, an artistic collaboration inspired by George Wagstaffe’s sculpture, and It Takes a City, a moving promenade performance telling the stories of bomb disposal crews during the Blitz and beyond.
Coun Abdul Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “The Peace Festival reminds us of the power of community, creativity and compassion.
“As we mark 85 years since the Blitz, we reflect not only on our city’s past but also on our shared responsibility to build a peaceful future.
“I invite everyone to take part in this year’s Festival – to learn, to share and to celebrate Coventry’s spirit of peace and reconciliation.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/knhfc3hf to take part in the Cathedral monument build.
Visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/peace for more details on the Peace Festival and a full list of events.
