BELFAST, Northern Ireland, April 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Belfast is leading the many commemorations taking place around the world in memory of those who perished on the Titanic's tragic maiden voyage 100 years ago today.
As her physical and spiritual home, Belfast is marking this significant occasion with a number of commemorative events.
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This morning, on the 100th anniversary of the liner's sinking, a Titanic Memorial Garden at Belfast City Hall was officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Niall Ã" Donnghaile.
A plaque naming the 1,517 people who perished on the mighty liner is the centrepiece of the memorial garden and pays tributes to the lost lives while embracing Belfast's connection to the Titanic story.
The new memorial garden in Belfast is the only memorial in the world to name all who were lost on the RMS Titanic.
This morning the Lord Mayor of Belfast said "Today is about commemoration and we do that here, in the peaceful setting of this garden".
"Here we remember all those who died. Here they are not just numbers, nor simply remembered as a collective. Here, they are remembered as individuals with different stories to tell".
The garden also incorporates an existing Titanic Memorial that was erected in 1920 and dedicated to the Belfast men who lost their lives on the Titanic.
Last night, on the anniversary of Titanic's collision with the iceberg, a special Titanic Centenary Commemoration Show was held at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.
The show brought to life the story of the famous liner through music and documentary with special performances from Bryan Ferry, Joss Stone and Katie Melua.
Georgia-born Katie, who moved to Belfast with her family when she was eight and lived there until the age of 13 said "Belfast will always have a special place in my heart so it is an honour to return to the birthplace of the Titanic, a city I once called home, for this special commemoration".
The show also featured the world premiere of 'Titanic Drums', an original composition by John Anderson featuring 100 traditional drummers from across Ireland.
In addition, a specially commissioned requiem by Belfast composer Philip Hammond entitled 'Requiem for the Lost Souls of the Titanic' was performed for the first time at St Anne's Cathedral last night.
Speaking about the Requiem Philip Hammond said "the requiem is not about remembering the Titanic but it is about remembering the people who died as a result of the loss of the Titanic".
Belfast's Titanic story is one of celebration and commemoration; the two elements will always be intertwined.
These commemorative events are part of a three-week Titanic Belfast Festival (31 March- 22 April) celebrating the city's ship-building history and commemorating the great human loss suffered as a result of the Titanic's sinking.
The festival kicked off with the opening of Titanic Belfast, the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction, in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 31 March, on the very site where the ship was designed, built and first kissed the water.
The new visitor experience pays homage to the Belfast workers who built Titanic and to those who perished on her - and has shot to the top of Europe's must-see destinations list.
The liner's mighty footprint is still much in evidence throughout the city, meaning nowhere can compare to Belfast for Titanic attractions and experiences.
Visitors to the city have a massive array of Titanic bus, cab, bike and walking tours to choose from throughout the ship's centenary year, as well as food, accommodation, theatre, music and historical experiences and a host of other attractions, exhibitions and events worthy of the great liner.
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Media Contact
Deirdre O'Brien
Tourism Ireland
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SOURCE Tourism Ireland
