Belfast Commemorates the Titanic 100 Years on

Apr 15, 2012 News 0

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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.

Titanic’s story is one of celebration and commemoration for Belfast; the two elements

will always be intertwined.

Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction, opened 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 opening of the iconic Titanic Belfast building marked the beginning of a
three-week long Titanic Belfast Festival celebrating her heritage and commemorating the
1,517 people who lost their lives on the ship’s fateful maiden voyage.

Tim Husbands, Titanic Belfast’s CEO, said: “Over the past fortnight we’ve celebrated
those who built and designed RMS Titanic. Now, however, our focus is very much on
reflection and commemoration for those who survived and those who lost their lives.”

As her physical and spiritual home, Belfast will lead the many commemorations taking
place around the world on her centenary (14 and 15 April).

Highlights include a Memorial Lecture by Dr Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who
discovered RMS Titanic in 1985, on the 14 April at Titanic Belfast overlooking the Titanic
slipways where the Titanic was launched.

A Titanic Centenary Commemoration show will also be held on the night of the 14 April,
the night she hit the iceberg. It will retell the story of the legendary liner through
music and documentary.

Performers include legendary Bryan Ferry and Grammy award-winning soul and R&B
singer/songwriter Joss Stone.

Katie Melua will also join the line-up.

Speaking about the Titanic Centenary Commemoration show, 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. I’m
really looking forward to performing at what I’m sure will be a very memorable and moving
event.”

In addition, a specially commissioned requiem by Belfast composer Philip Hammond
entitled ‘Requiem for the Lost Souls of the Titanic’ will be performed at St Anne’s
Cathedral on the anniversary of Titanic’s iceberg collision.

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”

A Titanic Memorial Garden at Belfast City Hall will also be unveiled on the 15 April,
the day she sank.

This is the only memorial in the world to name all who were lost on the RMS Titanic.

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.

Beyond Belfast, the surrounding towns also offer various Titanic memorials and tours
of the former homes of Harland & Wolff supremo Lord Pirrie and the ship’s designer Thomas
Andrews.

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