Manchester together six years on: commemorating the victims of the Arena terror attack

Manchester will never forget the terrible events of 22 May 2017 nor the moving way the city immediately found love and came together to display solidarity with all those affected by the attack with a determination not to give in to hatred.

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic events which took place at Manchester Arena on this day six years ago. Six years on and many, many years to follow, Manchester will still continue to remember. Residents and the wider community will be coming together with heartfelt vigils and silences today to mark the 22 that lost their lives, and these are some of the events taking place across the city in commemoration of the devastating losses from the Manchester Arena attack.

The whole city will resonate as before to the sound of bells ringing out from buildings across the centre including the town hall, cathedral and St Ann’s Church at the exact moment Salman Abedi’s suicide bomb exploded at 10,31pm two years ago.

Glade of Light memorial

The Glade of Light memorial was officially opened by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last year, and today flowers will be laid at this site in remembrance. Here, Mancs will be able to pay their respects, in a space that has been specifically dedicated to the 22 that lost their lives. The marble halo bench boasts the names of the victims, and a living garden has been planted, too.

Candlelight vigils at Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral will host a number of sessions on the day, where visitors will be able to pay their respects through prayer and a moment of silence. Visitors will also be able to light candles in remembrance. There will be three services, morning prayer at 9am, holy communion at 1.10pm and choral evensong at 5.30pm, at which the names of the 22 will be read out. A single tenor bell will toll 22 times at 10.31pm. The services will be live-streamed via the Manchester Cathedral Facebook page.

Tributes at Manchester Victoria Station

Tributes will take place at Manchester Victoria Station today, below the foyer where the attack took place six years ago. A moment of silence will take place at 12pm and at 10.31pm (the precise moment the bomb went off). The Railway Chaplain will offer a short prayer at the memorial for the victims’ families and survivors. Flowers will also be laid throughout the day.

The area near to Soldiers’ Gate inside Manchester Victoria Station, which is managed by Northern, is a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives at the arena. Visitors to the station will also have a place to reflect at a bench and blossom tree which was installed at Soldier’s Gate in 2021. Candles will also be available for people to light.

“22 May was a terrible day that will remain in our collective memories,” shares the new Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Yasmine Dar.

“We will never forget those that we lost, and our thoughts will be forever with their families and loved ones.

“Now, as then, we come together to remember and reflect.”

Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “It’s hard to believe six years has passed since the terrible events of 22 May 2017 and our hearts continue to go out those who lost their lives, their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone still dealing in some way with the legacy of that day. We know 22 May will always be a poignant day for many people.

“Manchester will not forget them.”