A NEW exhibition will look at the dramatic and difficult time of the Leningrad Blockade during World War II – and how Manchester extended the hand of international friendship across war-torn countries.
The Leningrad Blockade opened at Manchester Central Library this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the start of the blockade. It also marks the anniversary of the first civic level contact between Manchester and Leningrad when two days before the start of the blockade the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Alderman R. G. Edwards, sent a telegram of support to the Leningrad City Council. This was the beginning of the link between the two city councils that ultimately led to the signing of a Friendship Agreement in 1962.
Leningrad, now known as St Petersburg, was blockaded by German and Finnish forces. The city was cut off for 880 days and had to live mostly on the resources within the city.The exhibition features hard-hitting photos and posters produced in Leningrad during the blockade.
Catherine Danks, a senior lecturer from Manchester Metropolitan University who is curating the exhibition, said: “People starved to death – it was a really tough time in the history of the city. Hitler wanted to avoid a full frontal attack – but as the tide of the war turned German forces were pushed back and the siege was raised.”
“This exhibition of photographs and posters portrays the everyday life of a city under siege.”
There is a free public talk about the Leningrad Blockade at Manchester Central Library on Wednesday September 14 at 6pm.
