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Participate in Poppies
Photos by Major Roy Bevan
MBE.
.JPG)
CROWDS are flocking to Liverpool's
Poppies: Weeping Window since it officially opened on Saturday, 7 November
2015.
In the 1st week alone, around 150,000 people headed to St George's Hall
plateau to take in the stunning display of ceramic poppies as they cascade
down the façade of the Grade 1 listed building.
The poignant reminder of those who have lost their lives during conflict
drew large crowds on Remembrance Sunday, around 20,000 alone came to the
Poppies on the afternoon of 8 November 2015, following the annual service at the
Cenotaph.
A short film shown on the Sunday on the giant Lime Street media wall which
told the story of Liverpool's involvement in World War One and outlines the
subject matters covered in the Poppies Participation programme:- 'Who Will
You Remember' – prompted a strong reaction, and as a result the ten minute
film is now available to viewed
online. And people
interested in the Poppies or learning more about the City and the war are
being encouraged to take part in one of the many activities taking place as
part of the participation programme. These include:
The Truce - Andy Edwards' moving sculpture depicting the famous
Christmas Truce of 1914 is on display in the Heritage entrance of St
George's Hall until January.
Songs on the Steps - Every Wednesday and Thursday, from 25 November
until 10 December 2015, choirs from 20 schools across the City will perform on
the steps of St George's Hall next to the Weeping Window installation. Each
afternoon from 1pm to 2.30pm, up to four schools will sing carols and
wartime songs. Please note, if the weather is bad, the performance will take
place either inside the marquee on the plateau or in the Great Hall.
Black Poppies installation - To highlight the plight of black
soldiers, seafarers and workers in 1919, Writing on the Wall have curated a
fascinating archive of letters and documents which aim to inspire people to
make their very own black poppies in special workshops led by professional
artist Faith Bebbington. Taking place on 5 December 2015, from 10am to 4pm, in The Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, anyone can attend and will have their
creation displayed at Liverpool Central Library next to a specially
commissioned poem by Levi Tafari. They will go on display in January.
Electronic Poppies - Arts organisation Metal have joined together with
artist Laura Pulig who will become an artist in residence in St George's
Hall on 2 January, 3 January and 10 January 2016. Laura will run workshops aimed at younger
people using e-textiles, light responsive paper and inflatable sculptures to
create a piece of art with a 21st Century take on the poppies.
Tale of Two Cities - St George's Hall plays host to this photographic
exhibition depicting poppy planting around the City from 3 January to 16
January 2016.
Merseyside at War website - An online archive has been developed by
Liverpool John Moores University and the office of the Lord Lieutenant of
Merseyside and they are asking for any stories or memorabilia relating to
World War One to be submitted in order to create a lasting memorial. Click
here to find out more.
Chinese Labour Corps - Highlighting the role of the Chinese men who
were recruited by the government during the First World War to free troops
for front line duty, a unique exhibition is on display until Wednesday, 23
December 2015, at Pagoda Arts Centre, on Henry Street, in the City Centre.
Stories in Stone - An hour long walking tour around the monuments and
memorials of St George's Plateau and adjoining St John's Gardens. Led by
Deborah Mulhearn, the ticketed event tells the stories of Liverpool at times
of war through the eyes of local and visiting writers, including Helen
Forrester, Wilfred Owen, Charles Dickens, Shirley Hughes, Nicholas Monsarrat
and Beryl Bainbridge. The walking tour takes place every Wednesday and
Saturday up to the 30 January and tickets can be purchased from the Tourist
Information Centres, at Albert Dock or in Liverpool Lime Street Station.
Tickets cost just £5 for adults and £3 for under 16s.
Socks, Pin Cushions and Stories - Part of BBC Radio Merseyside's Up
for Arts; this World War One craft project encourages those inspired by the
Weeping Window to create their own craft items to commemorate those who lost
their lives through conflict. There will be a focus on women crafters of the
period who made comfort packages for the troops. Workshops will be held at
St George's Hall, from 2 January to 16 January 2016.
Silent Voices exhibition: This photo exhibition is made up of 24
pictures taken by children in Bil'in; a village in Palestine. On display in
St George's Hall from 2 January, until 16 January 2016, it reflects the
children's lives, their surroundings and their hopes for the future.
Remembered? Emerging from Veterans in Practice's artwork,
Remembered? Invites people to engage with local memorials and to think about
the impact of these monuments have documenting lives lost. Taking place on
Wednesday, 13 January 2016, from 11am to 2.30pm in FACT, a discussion will take place
about how we choose what and whom to remember, reflect on how we might
choose to commemorate in the future and contemplate what current and
prospective methods imply about our own society. Veterans in Practice is FACT's creative digital programme for military veterans. For more
information visit FACT's
website.
Tickets for the event are free but booking is required.
Poppies - Women in War - Telling the personal stories of women affected
by war, this photographic exhibition displays striking portraits from the
First World War to present day. Located in the Museum of Liverpool, there
will also be workshops, craft and poppy making sessions to complement the
exhibit. For full details visit the Museum of Liverpool's
website.
It is on display until summer of 2016.
Liverpool Remembers Poppy Trail - To complement the Weeping Window,
this trail has been produced which gives a suggested route around the City
centre encouraging residents and visitors to learn more about those whose
lives were changed forever by the war. It comprises of more than 20
locations throughout the City signposting people to memorials ranging from
the Liverpool Pals Memorial at Lime Street Station, the Unknown Soldier in
Exchange Flags and the Maritime Memorials at the Pier Head right through to
buildings of historic interest such as Martins Bank on Water Street,
Liverpool Town Hall and several of the city's museums. Starting at the
Weeping Window commission at St Georges Hall and finishing at the 14-18 Now
Dazzle Ship commission. A map can be downloaded
here.
Assistant Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for
culture, tourism and events, said:- "We always knew the Poppies would
be popular, but we've been overwhelmed with the reaction so far. November
hasn't given us the best of weather, but regardless of rain or wind, people
have turned out in their thousands each day to see this amazing
installation.
It's wonderful that there is such a strong participation programme to
complement the poppies; we want to ensure people can be as involved as
possible and learn all about Liverpool's connections with World War One.
Who Will You Remember offers many different activities for people, old and
young to engage with, and as a result there will be a tangible legacy to the
poppies being in the City.
And with more activities taking place in December still to be announced,
we're hoping to encourage even more people in to the City to see the
stunning Weeping Window and in turn take part in the thought-provoking
participation project."
Weeping Window is in the City until Sunday, 17 January 2016. The poppies are in
the City as part of a UK wide tour organised by 14-18 NOW who are the
national organisers of the First World War Centenary Cultural Programme.
For the latest information visit this
link, or follow @culturelpool on Twitter and 'Like Culture Liverpool' on Facebook. |
