South Scotland MSP Emma Harper has raised a motion to the Scottish Parliament to welcome the installation of a new and permanent special photography exhibition at Lockerbie Academy for the commemoration events as part of the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster which claimed 259 passenger lives and 11 lives of members of the Lockerbie community.
In her motion, Ms Harper, who attended the ceremony to launch the exhibition at Lockerbie Academy on Saturday (October 23rd), recognises that the exhibition was created by Emeritus Professor of Photography, Larry Mason, of Syracuse University in New York State. The exhibition consists of a selection of photographs taken between 1996 and 2019 to display how the community of Lockerbie has adapted, evolved and healed, while remembering all of those who lost their lives, on the 21st of December 1988.
The South Scotland MSP’s motion additionally thanks Professor Mason for gifting the exhibition to Lockerbie Academy, as well as thanking Lockerbie Academy Head Teacher, Brian Asher and local councillor Carolyne Wilson, for their speeches. Ms Harper also gives recognition to the students who were in attendance from Syracuse University and welcomes the lasting and enduring ties between the communities of Syracuse and Lockerbie.
Commenting, Ms Harper said:
“It was a privilege to be invited to attend the launch of the and permanent special photography exhibition at Lockerbie Academy for the commemoration events as part of the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster. I remember the 21st of December 1988 well – I was working at DGRI as a theatre nurse and was called to Theatre as we were told to expect people and prepare for triage and emergency surgery. It was a shock when we were stood down as our Theatres were not required. That night will always stay with me.
“At the launch event, it was inspiring to hear from Professor Mason – who kindly gifted the exhibition to Lockerbie Academy – about his journey with the community of Lockerbie from 1996 until now, having visited over 27 times. Professor Mason, now an Emeritus Professor at Syracuse University, took us through the story behind each photograph, each a story of hope and of how Lockerbie has adapted, evolved and healed, while remembering all of those who lost their lives.
“I have marked the exhibition by moving a motion to the Scottish Parliament in which I thank all involved, including the students present from Syracuse University and members of the Lockerbie Community, for the strong and enduring ties between Syracuse and Lockerbie. Anyone interested in seeing the photography selection can do so by purchasing a copy Professor Mason’s book, ‘Looking for Lockerbie’.”
