HALIFAX – Nova Scotia plans to welcome visitors from around the world this April to mark the 100th anniversary of the most famous shipwreck in history.
The province will commemorate the sinking of the Titanic over two days, Apr. 14 and 15, a procession, interpretive presentations and live performances.
“Our Maritime heritage and culture make us uniquely able to mark this historic and solemn occasion and tell the world about our important role in the tragic story,” says Tourism Minister Percy Paris.
On its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, south of the Grand Banks.
Victims were transported to Halifax, the nearest port, in the days following the disaster.
Halifax is the final resting place for 150 of the 333 bodies recovered. In all 1,517 of the 2,223 people who were on board died when the ship went down at 2:20 a.m. Apr. 15.
“We want to be involved in this, but also we want to do this in a sensitive way and delicate way and a respectful way,” Paris said Thursday, “and this was a disaster and by life circumstances that Nova Scotia played a very important role in.”
The commemorations will begin the evening of Apr. 14 at 8:30 p.m. with a Night of Bells – a walking procession from the waterfront to Grand Parade.
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The walk will pass several Titanic-related landmarks before arriving at Grand Parade, where over the course of the evening flares will be set off, symbolizing the ship’s distress call, and a moment of silence at to mark the moment when the ocean liner began to sink.
A interfaith spiritual service will be held the following afternoon at the Fairview cemetery where 121 victims were laid to rest.
“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,” Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly says, adding he encourages residents to come out and commemorate the historic date.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which houses the world’s largest collection of wooden artifacts from the wreckage, will be the epicentre of the memorial events: Titanic Central – a information centre – will be set up inside the facility.
“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,” said Ken Pinto, executive director of Titanic 100 – an 10-day “wake and commemoration.
“Everyone is welcomed to take part as we embrace our province’s place in the Titanic’s history.”
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