13th February Commemoration Events 2026
On Friday 13th February, Trustee Sinclair McKay and Project Manager Emma Lee represented the Dresden Trust at the 81st anniversary commemorations of the Allied bombing of Dresden, a date that continues to hold profound meaning for the city.
The day began at Heidefriedhof, Dresden’s largest burial site and a place of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism and the Second World War. There, alongside the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Dresden’s twinned city in the United Kingdom, they laid flowers in memorial. Afterwards, they joined other civic representatives including Deputy Mayor for Urban Development, Construction, Transport, and Real Estate Stephan Kühn, Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom in Dresden Daniel Senf, and British Embassy Berlin Councillor Ian Wood.
Conversations throughout the morning reflected both the solemness of the occasion and the continuing relevance of remembrance. The significance of the 13th February lies not only in honouring those who lost their lives, but also in reaffirming a shared commitment to reconciliation. They discussed that the Trust’s presence at these events is a visible expression of this commitment; a recognition of the past, and a determination to sustain dialogue and understanding between the United Kingdom and Germany. In a world where the pressures on international relationships are ever present, such moments of civic solidarity matter deeply.
In the evening, Sinclair and Emma attended the musical prelude to the Menschenkette at the Kulturpalast, alongside the First Mayor of Dresden and Lord Mayor of Coventry. The music and speeches offered a space for collective reflection before thousands gathered to form the Menschenkette, a human chain encircling Dresden’s Old Town. Around 5,000 participants stood together in silence, demonstrating their shared opposition to war, violence, destruction, and their resolve that the 13th February should not be used for political exploitation.
A particular highlight of the day was participation in the Gedenkweg (Memorial Walk). Sinclair and Emma both contributed in English and German respectively, symbolising the cross-cultural partnership at the heart of the trust’s mission. The walk was not only an act of remembrance but also an opportunity for conversation. Many Dresden citizens approached them to share personal and family stories of Dresden and visits to the United Kingdom, highlighting how memory continues to shape identities and experiences across generations.
Eighty-one years on, the commemorations in Dresden remain a powerful reminder that remembrance is not static. It is an active, communal process, one that calls for dialogue and a shared commitment to peace. For the Dresden Trust, participating in these events is both a privilege and a responsibility; to stand in solidarity, to listen, and ensure that the bonds between Dresden and Coventry and between Germany and the United Kingdom, continue to be strengthened through presence, partnership, and the courage to remember together.