#AIDSMemoryUK & StopAIDS present the second annual London World AIDS Day Vigil this year at the beautiful and historic Royal Park, the Brompton Cemetery and Chapel. Join us to remember the past, reflect on the present and look to the future. Open to all. Free entry.
A diverse range of leading performers, poets and musicians - including #AIDSMemoryUK patrons Mzz Kimberley and Dr Joseph Sonnabend - will join us at an event that will bring together across the response. There will be spoken word performances, a live recital and a ceremonial procession to the chapel.
The theme for this year’s vigil is stigma, community and self-esteem. Supporting UNAIDS’ ‘Communities make the difference’ World AIDS Day theme, our vigil will present an opportunity to recognise the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the HIV response.
1.30: All - Meet at the Brompton Cemetery North Gate, Old Brompton Road
1.40: Mike Podmore - Welcoming remarks
1.45: All (led by Mzz Kimberley) - Silent Procession towards the Chapel
2.05: Mzz Kimberley - Introduces Dr Joseph Sonnabend and music recital
2.10: Musicians - Music Recital (Part 1) (including Passacaglia and The Summer Before Last written by Dr Sonnabend)
2.40: Ash Kotak - Brompton Cemetery Poem and Tony Farragio - Infected Blood Inquiry Poem
2.50: Mzz Kimberley - Performance
3.10: Horcelie Sinda - Reflections and a poem on behalf of Youth Stop AIDS
3.20: Dr Joseph Sonnabend and musicians - Music Recital (Part 2) (Hope For the Future written by Dr Sonnabend)
3.30: Mike Podmore and Ash Kotak - Closing remarks
3.35: All - Exit the chapel
4.00: All welcome - Reception and Open Mic at Troubadour 263-267 Old Brompton Rd, Earl's Court London, SW5 9JA(basement)
#AIDSMemoryUK is a campaign to establish a national tribute to HIV and AIDS as a memorial not just to the memory of all those communities who came together and all the individuals that were affected, but beyond all the pain and loss, to provide a bridge between the past, to the present and the progress towards ending AIDS by 2030. STOPAIDS is a membership network working to unite UK voices on the Global HIV response.
Gather outside the North Lodge Cafe (Old Brompton Road) at 1:30pm promptly. The closest tube station is West Brompton (District Line) and Earl’s Court (Piccadilly and District Lines).