Candle Lit Vigil on Angel Hill Bury St Edmunds for Ukraine

What is it?

A candlelit vigil is a public gathering where people gather to light candles in support of a cause. The vigil for Ukraine was held on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

Why was it held?

The vigil was held to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to call for an end to the war.

Who organized it?

The vigil was organized by the We Love Bury St Edmunds group and Councillors Katie Parker, Donna Higgins, and Diane Hind.

What happened?

The vigil began with a short speech from the organizers and by Pastor Mathew Jolley and The Very Reverend Joe Hawes. Images of support were projected on the Abbey Gate accompanied by music. 1944 by Jamala, a Ukranian singer, The Ukrainian National Anthem, and an excerpt from The Legend of Edmund.

Several religious leaders showed their support for the vigil, including Pastor Mathew Jolley from the Bury St Edmunds Presbyterian Church, Canon David Bagstaff from St Edmunds Catholic Church, The Reverend Jason Vineyard from the Methodist Church, and The Reverend Canon Philip Banks.

The event was also attended by The Dean of St Edmundsbury, The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, who gave a moving speech.

Who attended?

A crowd of around 200 people attended the vigil.

What was the reaction?

The vigil was well-received by the public. Many people expressed their gratitude to the organizers for providing a space to show their support for Ukraine.

What was the impact?

The vigil was a powerful show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine. It also helped to raise awareness of the war and the humanitarian crisis that it has caused.

What can you do?

If you would like to show your support for Ukraine, you can do the following:

• Donate to a charity that is providing aid to Ukraine.
• Write to your elected officials and urge them to take action to end the war.
• Attend a protest or vigil in support of Ukraine.
• Learn more about the war and the people who are affected by it.

Thank you for your support.

A message of hope

The vigil was a way to show support for Ukraine, where many citizens are being displaced and their cities destroyed. The song “1944” by Jamala, a representative of Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, was played during the event. The song is about the deportation of the Crimean Tatars in the 1940s, and is a reminder of the pain and suffering caused by conflict. The Ukranian National Anthem was also played during the vigil, as a message of hope for the future.