Liverpool marks 25th anniversary of the Heysel tragedy

CITY leaders will today send a message to Turin reaffirming the “bond of friendship” between the two cities ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Heysel tragedy.
A series of events is being planned in Liverpool to mark the disaster on May 29, 1985, when 39 Italians lost their lives.
The ECHO can reveal how bells will ring out in Liverpool next week, on two separate days, to remember the victims who never came home from the European Cup Final.
This weekend, Lord Mayor Cllr Mike Storey will pen a letter to his counterpart in Turin – Sergio Thiamparino.

It talks of the “bond of friendship” between the two cities and describes Heysel as “one of the most shameful and tragic events in our city's history”.
The letter says: "I'm writing with the 25th anniversary of the Heysel disaster approaching, as it's a time when we reflect on one of the most shameful and tragic events in our city's history.
"On the day of the anniversary, we will be remembering those who lost lives at Heysel, their family and friends in a number of ways, including the planting of a tree to remember the victims.
"Of course, nothing can bring back lives so tragically lost, but I want to give an assurance to the people of Turin that we will never forget those who died and they are particularly in our thoughts on this sad occasion.
"We will continue to work to ensure that there can never be a repetition of the events of Heysel, and, hopefully, to build a bond of friendship between the two cities."

On Wednesday, at 10.45am, new city leader Cllr Joe Anderson will plant a tree in St John's Gardens, in memory of the 39 victims.
Two days later, at 3pm on Friday, a service will be held at Liverpool Town Hall led by the Rector of Liverpool, followed by a two-minute silence.
The Italian consul has been invited to attend both the service and tree planting, along with city civic leaders and LFC officials.
At the end of the silence, the Town Hall bells will ring 39 times – a gesture which will be repeated at 7pm on Saturday, the official anniversary day.

Liverpool FC are expected to announce details of how the club will commemorate the tragedy next week.
In Turin, the authorities are also planning events to remember those who died, culminating in a large church service in the middle of the city.
The Juventus fans were killed after a wall collapsed when rioting Liverpool supporters stormed a neutral zone of the terraces.
UEFA and the Belgian Football Association came in for strong criticism about their decision to use the ageing Heysel stadium.