Celebrating Peace in Coventry: The Coventry Peace Festival 2025
The Roots of Peace
Every November, the city of Coventry pauses to remember. The Coventry Peace Festival marks not only the anniversary of the devastating Blitz of 14 November 1940, but also celebrates the city’s ongoing commitment to peace, reconciliation and community renewal. This year—on the 85th anniversary—it holds a special resonance: the festival emphasises Coventry’s resilience, cultural creativity and role as a “City of Peace and Reconciliation”.
The official festival website describes the event as a “programme of public events and activities that promote peace, unity, understanding and positive community relationships.”
Its Influence and Impact
Over the years, the Coventry Peace Festival has grown in both scale and purpose. Key features of the 2025 programme include:
- A monumental installation inspired by Coventry Cathedral, comprising 1,300 cardboard boxes crafted by local residents—a powerful symbol of memory, hope and communal creativity.
- The Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture, delivered by Mandy Sanghera OBE on 6 November, exploring her work with victims of honour-based violence and cultural abuse.
- A diverse programme of walks, workshops, exhibitions and performances—offered free of charge—inviting Coventry’s inhabitants and visitors to reflect together, learn together and build stronger connections.
The practical community impact is significant. These events:
- strengthen inter-faith, inter-cultural and inter-generational dialogue
- provide accessible creative and mental-wellbeing activities in shared public spaces
- remind the city of its legacy while inviting a future of active peace-making
Join Emerald Book Club
As part of this year’s festival, the Emerald Book Club is proud to present Stories of Peace: A Community Storytelling Walk in the Park. This event is rooted directly in the festival’s themes of peace and reconciliation.
By choosing to gather in Red House Park and offering a walk that intersperses live storytelling, poems and open-mic sharing, we are:
- promoting togetherness and listening in a relaxed outdoor environment
- creating a safe space for participants to reflect on peace, forgiveness and unity
- connecting ours to Coventry’s broader story of resilience, recovery and hope
Why this Matters
Our involvement is more than just an event—it’s a contribution to Coventry’s identity. Through the Emerald Book Club’s walk:
- Local voices will be heard—those of poets, storytellers and community members alike
- Public space becomes an active site of inclusion and cultural exchange
- Attendance and interaction nurture the festival’s goal of cultivating positive community relationships around peace
Join Us
📅 Saturday 8 November 2025
🕐 1–3 PM
📍 Red House Park, Coventry
💚 Free event | All welcome | No booking required
Come share your story, listen to another’s, and walk with us as part of Coventry’s ever-evolving peace journey.
Coventry Peace Festival Events
Booking for events is not required unless stated on the event listing.
Coventry Multifaith Annual Peace Walk 2025
Coventry Multifaith Forum
Saturday 1 November 2025, 10am to 2pm
Priory Visitor Centre
The theme of this peace walk links to the commemoration of the 85th anniversary of The Blitz. It also links to the national interfaith week theme which is ‘community together we serve’. Each place of worship will be presenting an item that develops social cohesion.
Let’s Embrace Peace
Vanny Radio
Saturday 1 November 2025, 11am to 3pm
161 Broad Street Centre
Join us for an inspiring day of creativity and connection as part of Coventry’s Peace Festival. Through performances, workshops, art and intergenerational dialogues, we’ll explore peace, unity and understanding. Young people will lead creative projects and discussions celebrating diversity, empathy, and community harmony. Everyone is welcome to take part.
Sikhs in World War II
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash
Monday 3 November 2025, 5.30pm – 7pm
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash
Service and exhibition about the role that Sikhs played in World War II. Hear from different speakers and see the exhibition.
Songmaking
Underground Lights
Tuesday 4 November 2025, 2pm to 4pm
Coventry Central Hall
Join Underground Lights for this creative workshop where you’ll work together as a group to create a song exploring peace and reconciliation. Session suitable for people aged 18+.
Learn the Heritage Craft of Woodcarving
Coventry Woodcarvers Association
Tuesday 4 and Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5.45pm to 8pm
Finham Park School
People are invited to have a go at woodcarving. We will start with an introductory talk and demonstration, followed by practical instruction to learn carving techniques. Attendees can then carve a dove of peace. There will be different options to finish the carving so everyone can create their own individual dove. Email cov.carvers@gmail.com to book. Suitable for ages 11 and over. Anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
Peace Without Reconciliation: Lessons from East Asia
University of Warwick
Tuesday 4 November 2025, 6.15pm to 8pm
The Oculus, University of Warwick campus
A panel of experts on East Asia will unpack the politics of the recent World War II commemorations. Drawing on examples like Hiroshima, they will show how national politics have intertwined with national memories used for political ends, creating obstacles to reconciliation as nations clash over opposing interpretations of history. Following the discussion members of the audience will be invited to ask questions. Visit the University of Warwick website to book.
Coventry Peace Trail
Coventry Lord Mayor’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation
Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 November 2025, 10.30am to 12pm
Coventry Cathedral Ruins – beside The Charred Cross
This walking tour visits sites associated with peace in Coventry city centre. It begins with the ruins of St. Michael’s Cathedral and concludes in Millennium Place. This year will focus on the peace trail sites near Coventry Cathedral Ruins. Everyone will be given a free Peace Trail booklet with information about all 27 Peace Trail sites.
Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture
Coventry Lord Mayor’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation
Thursday 6 November 2025, 6pm to 8.30pm
Coventry Cathedral
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Peace Lecture will be delivered by international human rights activist, Mandy Sanghera OBE. Her work focuses on supporting victims and survivors of honour-based violence and cultural abuse, with the lecture covering some of her vital work and advising how people can help and support this cause. Email davidfishcf@msn.com to book.
Reflections with Godiva Sisters
Godiva Trust
Friday 7 November 2025, 11am to 1pm
Priory Visitor Centre
We remember the message that went out around the world after the Blitz, the message of Peace and Reconciliation. In these turbulent times, the Godiva Sisters reflect on the world through their cultures and faiths and spread the message of peace in Coventry. There will be a short walk to reflect in Priory Gardens.
Peace Wreaths from the Orchard
Coventry Peace Orchard
Saturday 8 November 2025, 11.30am to 1.30pm
Visitors Centre at the War Memorial Park
An outdoor, hands-on workshop where participants create small autumn wreaths or hanging decorations using natural and found materials from the Peace Orchard. Twigs, windfall apples, leaves, pinecones, seed heads and recycled ribbons are woven into simple circular wreaths.
Stories of Peace: A Community Storytelling Walk in the Park
Emerald Book Club CIC
Saturday 8 November 2025, 1pm to 3pm
Red House Park
Emerald Book Club proposes Stories of Peace: A Community Storytelling Walk in the Park – an interactive outdoor storytelling experience at Red House Park. The walk has been designed to celebrate peace, unity and reconciliation through the power of stories and words. Email emeraldbookclub@gmail.com to book.
Together for Peace
Young Beacons CIC
Workshops on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 November, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Showcase on Saturday 8 November, 1pm to 5pm
Wava Hall
Event where children and young people will come together to create art pieces that represent and promote peace. These will be pieces that resonate with, and represent the significance of, both the Blitz and Coventry’s identity as a City of Peace and Reconciliation. There will be two sessions to create the art pieces followed by a showcase to share the art. To book a place for youngsters aged 8 – 18, email info@youngbeacons.co.uk.
Soul Coventry
Priory Visitor Centre
Saturday 8 November 2025, 6pm to 9:30pm
Priory Visitor Centre
Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend this event
A dynamic live music and poetry event dedicated to showcasing the talents of local and emerging artists from Coventry. Our mission is to create a safe, intimate and welcoming environment that encourages individuals to share their artistic expressions. Join us as we provide a platform for participants to explore and communicate their personal journeys, healing and growth through creativity. To book tickets, visit the event page.
Remembrance Sunday Service
Coventry City Council
War Memorial Park
Sunday 9 November, 11am to 1pm
Annual Remembrance Sunday Service which takes place by the Cenotaph in the park. Attended by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, the Bishop of Coventry and serving and retired members of the armed forces. The event is followed by a ceremony at London Road Cemetery at 3pm.
The Role of the Civic University in Peace Dialogue and Education
University of Warwick
10 November |10am – 11am (UK time)
An online event on via Microsoft Teams, exploring how students, researchers, and the local community can encourage peace, critical thinking, and civic engagement amid rising misinformation and polarisation. To join, email Briony Jones at B.Jones.5@warwick.ac.uk for a link.
Faces of Hope
ALTA Community
Monday 10 November 2025, 10am to 3pm
MS Therapy Centre
Faces of Hope is a deeply personal exploration of healing, peace and renewal. Working with plaster of Paris and clay, artist Veronica Grant has created calm, gentle faces emerging from rough, textured surface. This artwork captures how beauty can grow from pain, and how the human spirit can find its way back to gentleness and light.
Acknowledging Support of the Commonwealth in the World Wars
St Paul’s Church
Monday 10 November 2025, 10.30am to 11.30am
Peace Park (corner of Foleshill Road/Livingstone Road)
Local schools will read peace poetry local places of worship to acknowledge members of their congregations/sangat that fought in the war. We’ll focus on the 85th anniversary since the Coventry Blitz and remember the efforts of our community to recover and serve each other and the city together.
Tea, Tales and Togetherness
Foleshill Women’s Training
Tuesday 12 November 2025, 10am to 2pm
Foleshill Women’s Training Centre
This women’s only event will bring together women from diverse backgrounds to celebrate peace through poetry, storytelling, and cultural sharing. Participants will read short poems in their own languages, express their hopes for peace. Refreshments will be provided.
Booking required – call 07508 437589 or 024 7663 7693
History Tour around Coventry Cathedral
WATCH Charity
Tuesday 12 November 2025, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
WATCH Community Centre
A trip for young people aged 8 to 18 to visit Coventry Cathedral. They will get the chance to connect with the city’s history, particularly The Blitz, and the Cathedral’s role as a symbol of peace. This visit will inspire their understanding of reconciliation so they can work together to produce a show to air on local radio.
Parent/guardian must request a consent form to complete in advance: nadia@watchcharity.org.uk
A Taste of Malaysian Heritage
Malaysian Coventry Society
Thursday 13 November 2025, 12pm to 3pm
Evro Cafe by Warung
We are a community group promoting cultural understanding, friendship and shared learning among communities in our city. We are running a ‘Show and Tell’ cultural workshop to raise awareness of Malaysian culture through interactive and sensory experiences including food, costumes, games and crafts.
Radio Show “Coventry: City of Peace and Reconciliation”
WATCH Charity
Friday 14 November 2025, 10am to 12pm
WATCH Community Centre
Working with our Skillz with Hillz radio training cohort, young people will co-create and broadcast a radio programme. The show will feature reflections, interviews and creative expressions inspired by the Peace Festival’s themes, their experiences at the Cathedral and in the workshops.
Dove Decorating Workshop
WATCH Charity
Thursday 13 November, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
WATCH Community Centre
This session is for children and young people aged 8 to 18. They will design and decorate clay or paper doves, symbolising peace, hope and reconciliation. The doves will serve as both a personal reflection and a collective artwork, highlighting the importance of peace across generations.
Hearts can ache without breaking: The story of the Coventry Blitz as seen from Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Church
Friday 14 November, 12pm to 2pm
Holy Trinity Church
Join us to listen to a short talk to hear the story of the Coventry Blitz as seen from Holy Trinity. The talk will be followed by a tour of the church with particular attention to the damage caused by war, and evidence of peace and restoration. The talks will take place at 12pm and 1pm.
Peace Builders: Create Coventry’s Mini Peace Wall
Coventry Boys and Girls Club
Thursday 14 November, 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Coventry Boys and Girls Club
“Peace Builders” will invite children to create individual “peace bricks” – decorated cardboard and tiles featuring their drawings, poems, or messages about peace, kindness, and reconciliation. Discussions about the blitz and how it impacted Coventry and how we need peace and reconciliation more than ever in the modern world. These personal contributions will be assembled into a collaborative Mini Peace Wall, a striking display symbolising how individual voices can come together to build unity. Booking not required, but consent form will need to be filled in for young people on attendance. To fill it out in advance please email to request a copy scott.dwyer@cbgc.org.uk, however, you will be able to fill it in on the day. Suitable for ages 7 – 12 years.
Reborn Phoenix
LTB Priory Place
Saturday 15 November, 10am to 5pm
Priory Visitor Centre
Reborn Phoenix is a female-led artistic collaboration between Sherrie Edgar, Toni Peach, and Michala Gyetvai, who will create a powerful new mixed-media painting and accompanying poem re-imagining George Wagstaffe’s The Phoenix sculpture. This new work pays tribute to the courage and resilience of women who served during the Blitz and throughout World War II.
It Takes a City
Talking Birds
Saturday 15 November, 3pm to 3.45pm
Coventry Cathedral
Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend this event
It Takes a City tells the extraordinary story of two bomb disposal crews; one in 2008, when the uncovering of an unexploded WW2 bomb led to the evacuation of the city centre, and one during the Blitz of 1940. This special promenade performance with live music reflects on the legacy of conflict. To book, visit the Coventry Cathedral events listing.
Coventry Book Extravaganza
Date: Saturday 15th November 2025 | 10.30am - 4pm Location: Belgrade Square, Corporation St, Coventry CV1 1GS Price: FREE Brought to you by local vintage events company Rosie’s Retro Bazaar and independent publishing house, Fantom. Immerse yourself in the universe of...
Installation to mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz
A massive installation inspired by the iconic Cathedral Ruins is set to mark the 85th anniversary of the Blitz in Broadgate Coventry city Centre. The 20 metre structure created by artist Olivier Grossetête, will "rise as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the...
Coventry Remembrance Sunday Parade
Coventry annual Remembrance Service and Parade will take place on Sunday 9 November, beginning at 10.45am, at The Cenotaph in the War Memorial Park. Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade | Coventry War Memorial Park Date: Sunday 9th November 2025 | 11:00 - 13:00 ...
0 Comments