Liverpool to mark one year since England’s first lockdown began with a series of tributes.
Tuesday 23 March is being recognised across the country as a day of reflection after such a challenging year.
In the city, a one-minute silence will be observed at midday and immediately after the silence, a special event called Liverpool Together, will be simulcast on radio and online.
The 30-minute programme will be produced by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team and broadcast by BBC Radio Merseyside. It can be listened to on the radio (95.8fm, Dab and Freeview channel 722) or via www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_merseyside. A link which will enable people to watch Liverpool Together will be made available on Tuesday and will be publicised via Culture Liverpool and BBC Radio Merseyside’s social media channels.
The event aims to reflect on last year’s challenges, to remember those who have lost their lives but also to celebrate the incredible community spirit and resilience which the people of Liverpool have shown.
It will feature performances from writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, poet Dorcas Seb and singer songwriter Amber Jay, as well as contributions from frontline workers and members of the public.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce said:
“One of the hardest things about this last year has been the fact that we have not been allowed to say goodbye to our loved ones
“This is the city’s chance to say goodbye to those we have lost and to look ahead to a better day.”
Dorcas Seb said:
“I’m so delighted to be given the opportunity to just pause and remember lockdown with Liverpool Together.
“No doubt the last year affected people in many different ways, physically, mentally and spiritually and this event will echo our feelings, together. I’ve prepared a piece that platforms the voice of my generation through spoken word which, I’m excited to share in a space, even if it be digital, where we can be together in this as we have been.”
In the evening, civic buildings will light up yellow and from 6.30pm, the River of Light Trail will illuminate the waterfront as part of the nation’s ‘beacon of remembrance’.
The city’s annual public health report, which this year is focused entirely around the work to tackle Covid-19, is also being published to tie in with the anniversary.
The digital document takes readers through the key milestones of 2020 in words, images and videos and will be available on the council’s website, with extracts also posted on social media. Read it here.
Travel and Covid restrictions remain in place, so Liverpool Together will not have a live audience, and the River of Light Trail should only be visited if you are local to the city centre and are walking the route for exercise or recreation within your household or support bubble.
The city also supports plans by the charity Marie Curie, which is encouraging anyone who wants to get involved, to stand on their doorsteps and beam phones, candles and torches into the night sky at 8pm.
The River of Light Trail is non-ticketed, free and open until 5 April. For more information, visit the official site.
