More than 100 events and acivities will be taking place in Leicester and Leicestershire ahead of Richard III re-interment next month.
Thousands of people from across the globe are expected to come to the city and county for the King’s reburiel. The events and activities will take place from Friday 20 March, leading up to and beyond the reinterment of the king in Leicester Cathedral on Thursday 26 March.
Leicester’s City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said, “It’s hard to believe that tomorrow (February 4) will be two years to the day since the human remains found beneath a Leicester car park were confirmed as those of King Richard lll”.
“We are now only weeks away from his reinterment in Leicester Cathedral, which is only 100 steps away from where he was hastily buried more than 500 years ago.
“A huge amount of hard work and planning has gone into ensuring he is laid to rest with dignity and honour, and that people from all over the city, county and indeed the world can be a part of this historic event.
“We look forward to welcoming them here, and to sharing this unique occasion with them.”
Events will take place throughout the week, and range from the opening of new Medieval Leicester Galleries at the city’s historic Guildhall on Friday 20 March, to a special King Richard lll service at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on Sunday 22 March. Ticket details for this event are due to be announced shortly.
Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council said, “Next month’s reinterment is going to be a unique historic occasion which is designed to give King Richard lll the dignified burial he was denied over 500 years ago. We’re delighted that Bosworth and nearby villages will be playing a central role.”
The University of Leicester will hold a number of events throughout the week, including King Richard lll Day on Saturday 21 March. Visitors will be able to hear from the experts who made these historical discoveries, experiment with DNA extraction, sample a medieval banquet and much more.
A number of venues in the city and county will offer activities and exhibitions throughout the week, including the King Richard lll Visitor Centre: Dynasty, Death and Discovery, which stands on the site of the medieval friary where the king was buried more than 500 years ago.
Further details of the procession that will take the remains of King Richard lll through the city and county before arriving at Leicester Cathedral for a service of compline on the evening of Sunday 22 March will be published in the next few weeks.
Giant screens will be set up in Leicester city centre to enable visitors to watch the reburial of King Richard III, which will take place on Thursday 26 March.
Leicester Cathedral will open for two special sessions on Friday 27 March when the tomb of King Richard lll will be revealed. Open from 3pm to 5.15pm and from 6.15pm to 9pm, these will be free events and large queues are expected.
A full programme of events including contact details and charges where applicable is available at http://kingrichardinleicester.com/events/
More information about travelling to, and staying in, Leicester and Leicestershire is available at www.visitleicester.info and www.goleicestershire.com
Further details about Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre can be found at www.bosworthbattlefield.com
