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A new display of ceramic poppies has opened at the Tower of London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The installation, which opened on 6 May, uses some 30,000 poppies from a similar display which commemorated the centenary of the First World War in 2014.
The Tower, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, suffered heavily during the Blitz. Several of its historic buildings were damaged, while one of its Yeoman Warders, Samuel Reeves, and a resident, Lily Francis Lunn, were killed during an air raid.
Fittingly, the new display – which was commissioned by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces – resembles a ‘wound’ at the heart of the complex, with poppies pouring across the lawn that is overlooked by the ancient White Tower.
The charity is hoping to repeat the success of the 2014 installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, which was designed by artist Paul Cummins and visited by more than five million people, including the late Queen and her husband Prince Philip.
The new display has been designed by artist Tom Piper, who said that he hoped it would ‘provide an opportunity to reflect on the impact of war not just on military personnel, but Londoners and people across the country.’
Piper added: ‘Once again, it will be installed in a place which is an enduring symbol of strength and survival, which has stood, wounded but resilient, throughout London’s turbulent history.’
The display will run through VJ Day on 15 August until 11 November, culminating in a moment of remembrance for Armistice Day. A small part of the installation will be visible from the public footpath outside the tower, which does not require a ticket.
