The annual candlelight vigil for those lost to HIV AIDS

Sydney’s annual remembrance event for people lost to HIV/AIDS will take place again this year in May to coincide with similar international events.

The Sydney Candlelight Memorial will take place on the International Candlelight Memorial Day which this year takes place on Sunday 20 May.

The event is co-produced by ACON, NSW’s largest community-based HIV/AIDS organisation, and Positive Life NSW, the peak organisation representing people with HIV in NSW.

Next month’s event will be held at Slide at 41 Oxford St. The hour-long ceremony will begin at 3:30 pm.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says attendees at last year’s event noted that moving the event from World AIDS Day in December to the International Candlelight Memorial Day in May added to its significance, both locally and globally.

“Most countries, and indeed other states in Australia, have their official commemorations on this day and moving Sydney’s memorial event to coincide with similar events in Australia and around the world has allowed us to become part of a global day of remembrance for the partners, family, and friends we have lost to HIV/AIDS.”

Positive Life NSW Executive Director Sonny Williams says feedback from last year’s event indicated that having the memorial in May increases the opportunity for people to attend.

“World AIDS Day has become a day full of many events related to HIV/AIDS and shifting Candlelight to May has given our community in Sydney a better opportunity to focus on this important occasion for reflection and remembrance.”

The event will follow a similar format to previous Candlelight Memorials with the names of lost loved ones being read out during the ceremony.