Tsunami memorial service broadcast on TV

Memorial ceremony in Khao Lak in 2005. Photo: Eva Berglund/IKON.

“We need memorial days for looking both back and forward,” says Archbishop Antje Jackelén. On 26 December it will be 10 years since the tsunami swept in over south-east Asia, and this will be remembered with a national memorial service in Uppsala Cathedral.

 Archbishop Antje Jackelén will lead the service which starts at 4 pm on 26 December in Uppsala Cathedral and will be broadcast live on television by the SVT broadcasting company. The Royal Family and Prime Minister will attend.

“The tsunami disaster is a national trauma. Disasters occur around the world, and in people’s lives, every day. This service is an opportunity and place in which to share the fragility and strength of life. We need memorial days for looking both back and forward,” says Archbishop Antje Jackelén.

The Church of Sweden, in contact with the Royal Family, has taken the initiative for the memorial service. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will make a speech, and music will be provided by singer Annika Skoglund, cellist Ulrika Edström and organist Andrew Canning.

All members of the congregation will receive a candle to take with them to their seat. When the prayers are said during the service, candle after candle will be lit, starting from the high altar. The sculpture Båten (the boat), which was at Ärna Airport when the deceased were received there in spring 2005, will occupy a central position in the cathedral during the memorial service. Artist Cristina Grönlund was evacuated from Khao Lak after the tsunami.

A total of more than 300,000 people lost their lives in the tsunami disaster; at least 543 were Swedes.

Via the Church of Sweden’s website you can light a digital candle. In social media the hashtag #viminns (we remember) is being used. Read more (in Swedish) at www.svenskakyrkan.se/viminns.

Accreditation

Accreditation is required and must be collected from the cathedral porch no later than 3.15 pm on 26 December. Send an email stating your name and editorial office, your mobile phone number and your email address to ewa.almqvist@svenskakyrkan.se no later than Friday 19 December. There will be places designated for the press and photographers at the front in the left side aisle, near the high altar, and these must be occupied by 3.30 pm at the latest. The space for photography is limited due to the television broadcast, and the press secretary will provide specific instructions on site.

Interviews

After the cathedral service there will be an opportunity for short interviews with Church of Sweden representatives. For best service, please send your requests for interviews in advance to press secretary Ewa Almqvist, ewa.almqvist@svenskakyrkan.se.

Memorial ceremony in Thailand'

The Church of Sweden in Thailand will participate in a  memorial ceremony on the beach in Khao Lak,