Birmingham Blitz: City has 2,241 Reasons to Remember
A unique multimedia art installation honouring the 2,241 Birmingham citizens who lost their lives during World War Two will be launched in the city centre next week.
Birmingham suffered four nights of consecutive heavy bombing, which destroyed much of the city’s Victorian architecture, including the old Market Hall.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of this tragic period in the city’s history, an art installation entitled 2,241 Reasons to Remember – created by Birmingham Hippodrome and arts organisation Metro-Boulot-Dodo – will be unveiled in Edgbaston St, opposite Bull Ring Markets, on Thursday, 19 November 2015.
Created by artist Sophie Handy, it features more than 1,000 lanterns that will bear the names of the 2,241 citizens who lost their lives during World War Two.
Cllr Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council said “Much of our city - including the Victorian Market Hall where the Bull Ring Markets now stand - was destroyed during the Birmingham Blitz, which claimed the lives of 2,241 people and made thousands homeless.
“This installation commemorates the 75th anniversary of these tragic events, but it also reflects Birmingham’s indomitable spirit, as the city managed to rebuild itself and emerge as an industrious and powerful city to be reckoned with.”
To read the full release, visit the Birmingham Hippodrome’s website.
