Flower Festival opens as a symbol of unity to commemorate the Manchester Arena Attack anniversary
Flower arrangements have gone on display in St Ann's Church for the Manchester Arena attack anniversary
St Ann’s Church is marking the anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing with a sflower festival.
Following the attack on 22nd May that claimed 22 lives and injured scores of people, St Ann’s Square was the focal point for people’s grief when an estimated 300,000 floral tributes and gifts were left in the Square.
In the days and weeks that followed, St Ann’s church was open for people who wanted to pray, to talk and to seek solace inside the building. Hundreds signed books of condolence and were comforted by spending some quiet moments in contemplation.
One year later, St Ann’s Church has been transformed by a breath-taking floral display created by 23 groups of flower arrangers from around the country, including flower arrangers from Flowers North West, St Ann’s Church and Manchester Cathedral.
The Flower Festival is open to the public each day without charge.
Each of the 25 floral displays depicts an aspect of Manchester. They include titles such as:
It includes a display called ‘A City United’ sponsored by Manchester City and Manchester United Football Clubs:
The church bell will ring at 10:31pm on Tuesday 22 May, marking the anniversary of the moment of the blast at the Manchester Arena.
St Ann’s is grateful to Flowers North West for their practical support and encouragement in hosting this event.
St Ann’s Church is also hosting an exhibition of art by Ghislaine Howard called Embracing Manchester.
Inspired by a young Muslim hugging strangers in St Ann’s Square days after the Manchester Arena disaster last year, 40 pieces of art go on display at St Ann’s Church from 17 May to 6 June 2018.