Cardboard Cathedral Rises to Honor Coventry Blitz Heroes

In Coventry, volunteers are coming together to build a large cardboard cathedral in the city center. This project marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, a tragic event during World War Two when German bombers attacked the city overnight on November 14, 1940. The bombing lasted for 11 hours and destroyed much of the medieval city, including the famous cathedral. Hundreds of people died, and many buildings were reduced to rubble. To honor those who lost their lives and to remember the destruction, artist Olivier Grossetête is leading the construction of a 15-meter-tall cathedral made entirely out of cardboard and tape. He estimates that they will use about 25 kilometers of tape for the project. Despite the rainy weather, Grossetête hopes that volunteers will continue to help build the structure. The cardboard cathedral will be illuminated overnight and then dismantled on Sunday afternoon, symbolizing the sudden loss of the original cathedral during the Blitz.

The building process has brought together people from all over Coventry. Volunteers are working in teams, wearing gloves and high-visibility jackets, and assembling different parts of the cathedral in workshops. Malkit Bhambra, a local resident, has been helping with the pre-build since Monday. She says it is inspiring to see the cathedral being rebuilt and to remember those who died in the war. The artist believes that the community workshops are just as important as the final result, as they allow people to connect and share memories. Historian Ben Mayne, who grew up nearby, is also involved in the project. He is sharing stories of bravery from the Blitz, including the efforts of local nurses and young volunteers. He says that acts of heroism stand out to him when he thinks about the events of that night.

On Friday, a candle-lit memorial service was held at the ruins of the old cathedral. More than 1,000 people attended, including survivors of World War Two. The service began with sirens to mark the start of the air raid, followed by a two-minute silence. The cathedral's dean, John Witcombe, spoke to the congregation about the importance of remembering the past and using it as a way to move forward. Ken Barber, who was five years old during the Blitz, recalls seeing buildings burning and the army trying to put out fires without enough water. The cardboard cathedral project is helping the community remember the events of the Blitz and honor those who showed courage during difficult times.