'Pause and remember the profound hurt, loss and suffering caused': Troubles Day of Reflection takes place in Northern Ireland
A day remembering the dead and wounded of the Troubles, as well as the continuing trauma many still endure from 30 years of conflict, is a moment to pause and remember the province’s profound hurt, Secretary of State Hilary Benn has said.
June 21 marks the annual Troubles Day of Reflection, which provides an opportunity for people across Northern Ireland to acknowledge a deep sense of loss and pain that still runs strongly through communities all over Ulster.
An occasion to remember all people who continue to live with the consequences of the conflict, the date was chosen as it’s also the longest day of the year – the summer equinox symbolising the lasting light of hope against the darkness of pain, as well as a day that looks both forwards and backwards; something organisers describe as “a pause in the cycle of nature”.
Events today included services in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, and Coleraine Methodist Church, while a drop-in event at Belfast city hall offered an opportunity for quiet contemplation, along with a screening of a short film, prose and poetry readings, and a ‘thought tree’ where attendees could share their hopes for the future.
This evening will see both city hall and Ulster University lit in yellow, while exhibitions have also been taking place in St Anne’s Cathedral, Linen Hall Library, the Public Records Office and Ulster University’s school of art.
Said Mr Benn: “As families gather for the Day of Reflection, this is a moment to pause and remember the profound hurt, loss and suffering caused by the Troubles right across Northern Ireland.
“Our thoughts today are with the people we lost and with the men, women and children who continue to live each day without the loved one who was taken from them.
“Today also challenges us all to acknowledge the deep pain of our past, to honour the memory of those that we lost, and also to redouble our commitment to build a peaceful society and to create a shared future for generations to come.”
In a joint statement, Belfast Council’s political group leaders said: “We hope that by hosting this annual event and providing a quiet, safe space, it will give people an opportunity to reflect and remember in a way personal to them.”