Taking place from 2 to 14 November, the Coventry Peace Festival returns with a programme of free events and activities celebrating peace and unity for residents of all ages.
The events that will take place across the city include:
- Poetry sessions
- Outdoor storytelling
- Art and craft workshops
- Walks around Coventry
- A historical tour of Coventry Cathedral
- A planting session for a young oak tree grown from a tree that survived the battle of Arnhem
- An online film screening of It Takes a City, a film about two unexploded WWII bombs discovered in Coventry
And many more.
The Festival will come to a close with Sense of Unity, a captivating outdoor performance that combines giant illuminated puppetry walking through the city centre, lighting and live drummers playing West African-inspired music to celebrate connection, resilience, hope and diversity on Saturday 14 November, 6pm-7.10pm.
Councillor John McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said: “Coventry has a long history of being known as a City of Peace and Reconciliation, stretching back to the Blitz 86 years ago.
The Coventry Peace Festival is a wonderful way for us to continue that legacy, reflecting not only on the city’s past, but also on our shared responsibility to build a peaceful future.
“As always, it is wonderful to see so many local charities and organisations getting involved. There are so many different events across the two weeks to get involved with and I hope people will come together to learn, share and enjoy.”
A key part of the festival each year is the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade which takes place at the War Memorial Park on Sunday 8 November at 10.45am. This is followed by the Communal Grave Service at London Road Cemetery at 3pm.
There will also be the annual Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture, which will explore reconciliation amid conflict and Coventry’s contribution to peace around the world, presented by Dean Rev. John Witcombe and chaired by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Bailey.
All the events are free, and most do not require booking in advance. A full list of events, including Sense of Unity, can be found on the council website at www.coventry.gov.uk/peace-festival