Commemorative Events Announced for Anniversary of Titanic Sinking

Published by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Nova Scotia is getting ready to welcome visitors for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15. Nova Scotians and visitors are encouraged to participate in two commemorative events: an evening procession and presentation April 14; and an afternoon interfaith memorial service April 15.

Quotes

“ This April, Nova Scotia will welcome people from around the world, who are fascinated by the Titanic story. ” Percy Paris, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister

“ Our Maritime heritage and culture make us uniquely able to mark this historic, solemn occasion, and tell the world about our important role in the tragic story. ” Percy Paris, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister

“ I encourage HRM residents to attend the commemorative events. We are forever linked to the Titanic and what happened on that terrible night. By paying solemn tribute to those who lost their lives, we are also honouring the men and women of our own community who did not hesitate to answer the call for assistance. ” Peter Kelly, Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality

“ It is our hope that these events will bring Halifax, Nova Scotia and Canada together to honour the sinking of Titanic, 100 years after the ill-fated voyage. Everyone is welcomed to take part as we embrace our province's place in the Titanic's history. ” Ken Pinto, executive director of Titanic 100

Quick Facts

  • As part of Titanic Eve – Night of the Bells, a walking procession will make its way at 8:30 p.m. from the waterfront side of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to the Grand Parade. Some of the city's Titanic-related landmarks will be acknowledged along the procession route.
  • When the procession reaches the Grand Parade at 9:30 p.m., the evening will focus on interpretative presentations and live performances. At 12:20 a.m., a moment of silence will be held in honour of the moment the Titanic began to sink. Flares will be set off to symbolize the ship's call for help.
  • The Titanic Spiritual Ceremony, an interfaith memorial service, will take place at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery at 3 p.m. The ceremony will include a wreath laying and musical performances. One hundred and twenty-one victims of the Titanic sinking are buried at the cemetery.
  • A visitor information centre, called Titanic Central, will be set up at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The centre will allow people to learn more about Halifax's connection to Titanic and the activities planned to commemorate the anniversary.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Kyla Friel
Communities, Culture and Heritage
Cell: 902-471-4128
E-mail:

Images

Gerald Wright does some delicate work on a model of the Titanic. The model makers have put in more than 2,000 hours on the project so far.
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Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris fields questions from the media.
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Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson, announces events planned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
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A part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's Titanic exhibit.
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Rare original deck chair from Titanic, the signature artifact of the permanent Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Credit: Gerry Lunn, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
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Shoes from a victim of the Titanic disaster or The Northover Titanic Shoes. This pair of leather children’s shoes is believed to be from Body No. 4, the “Unknown Child”. This very young boy, recovered by the crew of Mackay-Bennett, was buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax. Credit: Gerry Lunn, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
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Videos

Minister Percy Paris
Kim Reinhardt, Manager, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Kim Reinhardt, Manager, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Ken Pinto, Executive Director, Titanic 100
Kristi Wenaus, Director, Sales and Partnerships, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
Kristi Wenaus, Director, Sales and Partnerships, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

Audio

Percy Paris, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister says our role in the history of the Titanic reinforces the province's reputation as a place that reaches out to help people.
Kristi Wenaus, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, says there will be a number of ways for people to connect with the Titanic and Halifax's story.
Kim Reinhardt, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, says the museum has a permanent Titanic exhibit plus a new one, Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World.