This year’s World AIDS Day commemoration will be led by young members of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, who are bringing fresh energy and reflective storytelling to an evening of remembrance held in partnership with AIDS Memory UK
Taking place on Monday 1 December from 6:30–8:00 pm, the event will be hosted at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel — a building deeply connected to the history of the HIV/AIDS crisis, located beside the former Middlesex Hospital. It was here that the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards operated during the 1980s and 1990s, caring for hundreds of people affected by the epidemic.
An Evening of Remembrance Led by Young Voices
The commemoration will feature poetry, music, and personal reflections by young people from Mosaic, each speaking to themes of memory, compassion, and intergenerational solidarity. Following the programme in the chapel, guests will take part in a symbolic walk to the nearby site chosen for The AIDS Memorial in London — a major new public artwork by Turner Prize-nominated artist Anya Gallaccio, supported by the Mayor of London and set to be realised in the coming years.
Leaders Reflect on Legacy, Progress, and the Power of Community
Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, highlighted the continuing importance of marking World AIDS Day:
“This event marking World AIDS Day offers a poignant moment to reflect on those we have lost to HIV/AIDS related illness and unite in our battle against the virus. It reminds us how far we have come in tackling HIV/AIDS, but also that there is further to go in ending stigma and achieving equality for all people affected in our communities. I am proud that City Hall is supporting London’s first permanent HIV/AIDS memorial, which will be an important message of solidarity and a symbol of hope, as we build a better and healthier London for everyone.”
Ash Kotak, Founder and Artistic Director of AIDS Memory UK, emphasised the importance of intergenerational engagement:
“It’s enlightening and moving to see young LGBTQ+ people take an interest in HIV & AIDS history. The intergenerational transfer of queer knowledge works both ways and can be rewarding and unifying.”
Lukasz Konieczka, Executive Director of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, underlined the role of young people in continuing the conversation:
“This event is not only about remembering those we lost but also about empowering young LGBT+ persons to honour their legacy and continue the conversation about compassion, health, and community.”
From the Fitzrovia Chapel, Freya Bently, Culture and Community Manager, reaffirmed the Chapel’s connection to this history:
“We at the Fitzrovia Chapel are so very proud to be hosting this special remembrance event for those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS. In doing so, we honour our history as chapel to the Middlesex Hospital, which housed the UK's first dedicated AIDS wards in the 1980s and 1990s. We’re pleased to be working with the Mosaic LGBT Young Person’s Trust and AIDS Memory UK to ensure that the story of HIV/AIDS is accessed by younger generations.”
Booking Information
The event is open to all, but advance booking is essential due to limited capacity. Tickets can be reserved at:
http://link.outsavvy.com/aids-day