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Floral tributes and minute’s silence confirmed to mark eighth anniversary of Manchester Arena attack
"We will never forget those who were lost that day."
Emily Sergeant -
20th May 2025 
Manchester City Council has announced its plans to mark the eighth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
This Thursday 22 May 2025, it will be exactly eight years since a terror attack saw 22 people tragically lose their lives, and left thousands more injured and affected, during a bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena back in 2017.
Every year, the city of Manchester comes together and joins the rest of the world in marking the day and remembering those who went to a concert and never returned home.
Manchester City Council has now confirmed how the city plans to mark the day.
As has been the case for the past few years since it opened to the public, the focal point for this year’s personal remembrance and reflection will be the permanent Glade of Light memorial, near Manchester Cathedral.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Carmine Grimshaw, Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and Council Chief Executive, Tom Stannard, will each lay floral tributes at the memorial on behalf of the people of the city in memory of those who lost their lives.
The names of those who sadly died will also be read out on 22 May during services at Manchester Cathedral – firstly at 9am (Morning Prayers), then at 1:10pm (Holy Communion), and finally at 5:30pm (Choral Evensong).
The Cathedral will also be open throughout the day for those who wish to light a candle or pray.
Two one-minute silences will take place at Manchester Victoria station during the day too – one at 12 noon, and then one at and 10:31pm, which is the exact anniversary of the attack.
Cllr Bev Craig called the Arena attack ‘one of the darkest days in Manchester’s history’.
“But its aftermath also showed the city’s remarkable solidarity and Mancunians’ refusal to give in to those who would seek to divide us,” she added.
Read more:
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“We will never forget those who were lost that day, their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone who was affected. We remember them throughout the year but each anniversary is especially poignant.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
