Community leaders, artists, performers and representatives from Liverpool’s many faith groups will join together this week for a special celebration of city pride and solidarity.
The open-air event, to be held at St George’s Plateau on Thursday 25 April will see a host of artists and contributors come together for songs, spoken word and performances all paying tribute to Liverpool’s unique tradition of unity.
Organised by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, the event will see people of all faiths and none gather at the iconic venue at 5pm in readiness for the celebration at 5.30pm.
Representatives from Liverpool’s multi-faceted communities are being encouraged to attend the ceremony in traditional costume.
Leading the celebrations will be multi-talented singer, songwriter and musician Jennifer John, who will begin the proceedings with a special vocal performance.
Jennifer said: “It is a real honour to be invited to take part in the Multi Faith Service.The social cohesion of so many different faiths working together is the perfect example of how positive Liverpool continues to be.”
Other performers include the traditional Chinese Pagoda Dancers, Yemeni poet Amina Atiq and The Love and Joy Gospel Choir.
Poet Levi Tafari will be using his lyrical talents to illustrate his experiences of how his Jamaican ancestry combine with his Liverpool roots, whilst the city’s own mezzo-soprano Danielle Louise Thomas will be performing two songs.
There will also be speeches from The Rector of Liverpool, The Reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, representatives from the city’s faith communities and Mayor Anderson.
The Rector of Liverpool, Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, said: “The appalling attacks in Sri Lanka over the weekend have shocked us all. As with last month’s shootings in New Zealand, they remind us that there are people who try and use religion to divide communities, but in fact it makes people of faith more determined to stand together. This service in Liverpool is not one of lament but celebration, to show that this city is stronger because of our diversity”
Mayor Anderson said: “This celebration is a show of the strength that we have as a community that is united. Our diversity has long been the key to this city’s success. We have a strong tradition of standing shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing our successes together and helping each other through the adversity we have so often had to face.”
“The one thing we have in common is that we are all different – it’s the glue that binds us all together and what makes Liverpool the great city it is.”
