Dear Manchester,



Dear Manchester,

When I think of you, I think of the fun I have whenever I visit.
I think of your citizens, who never fail to make me feel like one of them.
I think of your music scene, which is unlike many.
I think of your passion for community.

When I think of you, I smile.

You're the home of my friends,
you're a city of dreamers and achievers,
you're a city of music,
 of creativity,
 of community.

You're the place I visit when I need to dream.

Unfortunately right now the world looks at you, because of this tragedy you had to experience.
We all see the pain you have to go through, and we share it.

Some of us feel attacked, too.
This act of terror has taken away lives which have been cherished.
It took away children, parents, siblings and friends.

It attacked those who had just been to a concert, which is supposed to be a happy place.

Everyone who has ever been to a concert, knows the feelings of excitement and happiness you feel, when you get to hear your favourite songs being performed live.

Those young people were there to see their favourite singer, they were probably singing, dancing, laughing as they got to hear songs that inspire them.
And some of their parents were watching them at their happiest.

And some of them did not get the chance to go home.
And those who eventually got to go home, are now wounded - physically and mentally.
They'll doubt the safety that live music has always been.
They'll hurt.
And we'll hurt with them.

"There is not a single word in the whole world, that could describe the hurt.
The dullest knife just sawing back and forth, 

and ripping through the softest skin there ever was."
("Hate To See Your Heart Break" - Paramore)


We share your pain, we share your anger.
We share your heartbreak.




But we admire your strength.

You have heroes amongst you, who have risked their own lives in order to help others.
You stand together - and we stand with you.

We are sending our love and thoughts to those who have lost their lives, their loved ones and all those injured- mentally and physically.
We thank Manchester for showing its strength and its light in this dark time.


You show us, that no matter how much damage they want to cause, 
they won't win.
You are strong and we are strong for you.
We are Manchester.


We won't stop celebrating music.
We won't stop celebrating freedom.
We won't stop celebrating life.




Dear Manchester,

when I think of you - I smile.







Love,







If you want to help families affected, please visit this crowdfunding page and learn more:
- just giving -





Credits // photos and words: Vanessa Jertschewske

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for your wonderful touchy words, Vanessa <3

    I think, no, i believe there's still hope. The hope, terror and fear will not destroy a free society - no matter where in the world - if we don't let ourselves be separated into nationalities, ethnic groups or "classes". All of us connects so much more than separates us. And i think we can do our part by not letting ourselves be restricted and by shaping our lives free. Cause that's exactly what these monsters actually want to achieve. But we won't do them this "favor".
    WE WON'T STOP CELEBRATING MUSIC.
    WE WON'T STOP CELEBRATING FREEDOM.
    WE WON'T STOP CELEBRATING LIFE.

    Big hugs! <3

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