We will always remember those who were lost on that day.
On the evening of 22 May 2017, our city was forever changed. What should have been a night of joy and celebration turned into one of sorrow, fear, and unimaginable loss. A suicide bomber targeted the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert, taking 22 innocent lives and injuring hundreds more. Many of the victims were children and young people, full of promise, laughter, and light. That night became one of the darkest in Manchester’s history — and in our hearts, it still echoes.
The attack shocked not just the UK but the world. For those of us here, it cut deeper — it was personal. The Arena, a beloved venue where memories are made and music brings people together, became the site of tragedy. We remember the chaos, the fear, the sirens, and the heartbreaking news that followed. But we also remember the heroism, the compassion, and the unity that shone through in the days that followed.
Emergency responders ran toward danger without hesitation. Strangers opened their doors to help the injured and frightened. Taxi drivers offered free rides. Hospitals worked tirelessly to treat the wounded. The people of Manchester came together in grief, in defiance, and in love. The city refused to be broken.
In the aftermath, the symbol of the worker bee, long associated with Manchester’s industrious spirit, became a powerful emblem of unity and resilience. It was inked into skin, painted on walls, and proudly displayed across the city and beyond. The bee reminded us that though small, we are mighty when we stand together.
Vigils were held in St Ann’s Square, where thousands gathered to mourn and pay their respects. The square became a sea of flowers, candles, messages, and tears. The faces of the 22 lost looked back at us from posters and photographs: vibrant lives taken too soon. Among them were parents waiting to collect their children, teens out with friends, and young fans attending their first concert.
We also remember the many who survived but carry physical and emotional scars. Survivors, families, and witnesses continue to live with the impact of that night. Many have shown extraordinary courage in sharing their stories, in seeking justice, and in building support networks for others. Their strength is an inspiration.
Every year since, on the anniversary of the attack, Manchester pauses to reflect. Bells ring, names are read aloud, and moments of silence are observed. The Glade of Light Memorial now stands as a permanent tribute to the victims — a space of beauty, remembrance, and peace.
It’s easy, with time, for headlines to fade and the world to move on. But in this city, we do not forget. We cannot. The events of 22 May 2017 are part of us now, woven into the fabric of Manchester’s identity. We carry the memory of that night with us — in our art, our words, our actions, and our determination to stand against hatred.
This tragedy didn’t define Manchester’s spirit — it revealed it. We are a city of heart and resilience, of strength in diversity, of kindness and community. We continue to honour the memory of the 22 by living with compassion and by standing together.
To those we lost: you are not forgotten. You were loved then, you are loved still, and your names are spoken with reverence. You should have had so many more days. We hold you in our hearts — always.
And to Manchester: thank you for showing the world what it means to endure with grace. Thank you for every act of love and solidarity in the face of devastation. The pain of 22 May 2017 will never fully fade, but neither will the light that came from our unity.
We remember. Always.
❤️🐝
