Over two thousand young people from England and Wales will take part in a national concert

Over two thousand young people from England and Wales will take part in a national concert to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Minister for Faith Lord Bourne confirmed the ‘Lest We Forget’ concert, backed by £90,000 government funding will take place in November 2018 as part of the government’s centenary programme of ceremonial events, cultural activity and education.

Hosted at Birmingham’s NEC, the concert comes at the end of a 4-year programme to honour and remember those who lived, fought and died in the First World War.

Minister for Faith and Integration Lord Bourne said:

It is vitally important that each new generation is encouraged to remember the enormous sacrifices made in defending the liberties we take for granted today. The stories of individual bravery and the terrible losses experienced by countless families must never be forgotten.

This special concert will enable thousands of young people to play an active dramatic part in the commemorations and hear of the experiences of those only a little older than themselves.

When a campaign for volunteers was launched in August 1914, thousands answered the call to fight. Among them were 250,000 boys and young men under the age of 19. The concert will remember their stories and they will be given a voice by those just a year or two younger.

Dramatic finale to mark centenary of end of First World War

From:

Department for Communities and Local Government and Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Part of:

National events and ceremonies and First World War Centenary

Published:

11 August 2017