Maltese Florist Helps Create Moving Tribute To London Borough Market Terror Victims
Maltese florist, Janine Sultana, formed part of a voluntary team who created a stunning floral tribute to the victims of the recent London terror attack at Borough Market in London Bridge.
The beautiful arrangement was installed on Monday night using a gorgeous selection of peonies – which symbolise hope, rosemary, figs, artichoke hearts, poppy pods, agapanthus, panicum grass, leukodendrum leaves, lavender, sage, and roses.
The vegetables were donated by the New Covent Garden market and some of the Borough Market vendors themselves, the flowers were also donations. The result – an elegant yet melancholy composition which is totally fitting in its tribute to the assault on peace and security in one of London’s most vibrant areas.
Cover photos: Maria Bell / @marrbell
“It just made sense to be a part of something that would bring some joy back to a brilliant and lively part of London”
Janine Sultana, florist
Sultana lives in London and works with McQueens – a stylish and mega-successful London florist that specialises in simple, stylish and beautifully presented flowers. She became involved with the voluntary tribute installation when a group approached McQueens in a call for volunteers.
“Mcqueens was told about the installation and was asked if any volunteers were available so a few of my colleagues and I jumped on board,” Sultana told us. “The attack really shocked us as we’ve spent many days and nights in the area. It just made sense to be a part of something that we believed would bring some joy back to such a brilliant and lively part of London”.
“It felt like a real privilege to be part of the reopening”
Janine Sultana, florist
The London Bridge attack, which happened earlier this month, saw eight victims killed and many others injured after a van mounted the pavement and was driven into pedestrians with its occupants subsequently entering the pubs around the area to stab people with long knives. Sultana describes the feelings her and her team experienced whilst working in the very same location that such brutal had occurred.
“There was one part of the night where we cut down the blue sheeting that had been covering the Borough Market gate since the night of the attack which was quite sobering,” Sultana said. “It’s difficult to imagine the scenes that took place that night – I know Borough Market to be such a happy, feel-good place”.
Borough Market has been closed since the attack, but was reopened yesterday. A minute’s silence was held to remember eight victims of terror attack before bells rang to mark start of trading.
“It felt like a real privilege to be part of the reopening…” Sultana told us.
Photo: Maria Bell / @marrbell