Welcome to the 2025 Peace Festival
I am honoured to welcome you to our city’s cherished Peace Festival.
This annual event brings everyone together to celebrate Coventry’s ongoing work as a city dedicated to peace, reconciliation and sanctuary.
As a City of Peace and Reconciliation, Coventry undertakes important work to foster unity and friendship among people of all faiths, cultures and nationalities.
Saturday 14 November 2025 marks the 85th anniversary of The Blitz. The devastating event which saw an attack on our city, lasting for 11 hours and destroying many buildings, including our Cathedral.
Since then, we have come together to accomplish so much; we’ve rebuilt our city together, welcomed and supported those who have made Coventry their home and continued our important work to promote peace.
Even today, with conflicts still affecting parts of the world, the call for peace is as urgent and necessary as ever. This is the reason Coventry will continue its vital work both here at home and with our friends and partners around the world. The Peace Festival is part of that ongoing work.
To mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, we’ll be hosting a monumental installation piece in the city centre. Inspired by the Cathedral Ruins, the structure, measuring around 20 metres high will reimagine Coventry Cathedral in a bold and imaginative interpretation from thousands of pieces of cardboard. The true wonder of this project lies not only in its stunning visual impact, but in the spirit behind it: a whole community coming together in peace, creativity, solidarity and commemoration, as residents of the city come together to build the structure.
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture will be delivered by international human rights activist, Mandy Sanghera OBE. Her work focuses on supporting victims and survivors of honour-based violence and cultural abuse, with the lecture covering some of her vital work and advising how people can help and support this cause.
Other activities include dove sculpting in woodworking sessions, music making, peace trails and walks, history tours, as well as a variety of exhibitions and artworks on display.
The Festival provides an opportunity for us to learn, connect with others and explore how each of us can contribute to a more peaceful world. Whether you join us for a single event or many, I appreciate your participation and support, and I also wish to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helps make this Festival possible.
Enjoy the Festival, and I wish you all peace and happiness.
Councillor Rachel Lancaster, Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry