Manchester Arena attack memorial revealed to the public
The memorial features a white halo bearing the names of the 22 people who lost their lives
Last updated 5th Jan 2022
A memorial garden dedicated to the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack is set to be unveiled to the public this morning.
The "Glade of Light", located near Manchester Cathedral features a white marble halo bearing the names of the 22 people who lost their lives.
It has been under construction since March last year with work concluding today.
The fences surrounding the garden, near Manchester Cathedral, will be removed this morning making it visible to the public for the first time.
Families of those who lost loved ones have been able to place personalised memory capsules, containing mementoes and messages, which are embedded inside the halo.
22 people lost their lives when Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in 2017.
As well as those who died, hundereds more were injured.
"It's not just for us families, it's for the whole city"
Figen Murray lost her son Martyn Hett in the attack. She told us:
"I hope for all the people who have been injured or psychologically damaged, such as the emergency services and anybody who's worked around the arena, that they find some healing as well.
"It's not just there for us families to go to on special days or whenever we feel the need to go.
"It's also important for the City of Manchester and for future generations.
"It's a moment in history that has to be marked somehow and future generations will be able to go there and hear what happened and see how beautifully the people are remembered in a nice way."
The garden has been designed to contain plans which grow naturally in the UK countryside and around the time of the anniversary every year, the white flowers of a hawthorn tree planted at its centre will bloom.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We will never forget those whose lives were lost on 22 May 2017. They already had a permanent place in the hearts of Manchester people. Now they have a lasting memorial in the heart of our city.
“The Glade of Light is a beautiful tribute to them and somewhere which will also have profound meaning for everyone affected by the attack. We hope the memorial site will be a place of peace and comfort, standing as a reminder that love is stronger than hate.”
An official opening event for the memorial is planned for spring 2022, ahead of the fifth anniversary.