The hearts of Manchester and Ariana Grande will forever be entwined.
After the horrific events on 22 May, Ariana Grande could easily have gone home, hid herself away and dealt with the enormous trauma and pressure that she no doubt felt, and no one could have blamed her.
Instead, she organised a enormous benefit concert, One Love Manchester, less than two weeks after the terror attack that struck Manchester Arena. She visited victims in hospital, spending time with them and comforting them. She donated her time and effort to raise more than £2 million to help those affected by the attack.
Ariana Grande conducted herself with the kind of grace and poise, the kind of compassion and composure, that even saints bow to. She has been an extraordinary pillar of strength, and the City of Manchester has chosen to honour Ariana for her conduct.
Today, Manchester councillors voted unanimously to make Ariana Grande an honorary citizen of Manchester.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese put forward the motion, describing Grande as “a young American woman for whom it would have been understandable if she never wanted to see this place again.
“But no – instead she, as an artist, a performer, was determined that she would not perform again until she had returned to Manchester to perform.
“In doing so, she brought comfort to thousands, she raised millions for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and became the first patron of that fund. And that’s why I propose that Ariana Grande is made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester.”
After the chorus of ayes rang out through the chamber, Manchester’s world famous Halle String Quartet performed a rendition of Don’t Look Back in Anger, the Oasis classic that has come into a new life as a song of love and resistance.
The Halle String Quartet played Don't Look Back in Anger after cllrs voted to make Ariana Grande an honorary citizen of Manchester pic.twitter.com/Dyc9Zz5QDU
— Eleanor Barlow (@EleanorBarlow) July 12, 2017
The 24-year-old singer is the first to be made an honorary citizen of Manchester, but at present there are no plans to hold a ceremony bestowing the honour upon Ariana.
Hugely, hugely deserved.
