We're Here Because We're Here

A modern memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

we're here because we're here14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

On 1 July 2016, thousands of volunteers took part in a modern memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

1,400 voluntary participants dressed in First World War uniforms appeared unexpectedly in locations across the UK.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

We're here because we're here was conceived and created by Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.

We’re here because we’re here, 14-18 NOW, 2016, From the collection of: 14-18 NOW
Show lessRead more

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

19,240 men were killed on the first day of the battle in 1916 – the bloodiest day in British military history.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day.

we're here because we're here14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Mark Carline14-18 NOW

"We’re here because we’re here" reached over 30 million people across the UK.

We’re here because we’re here, Andrew Fox, 2016, From the collection of: 14-18 NOW
Show lessRead more
We’re here because we’re here, Jonny Frazer, 2016, From the collection of: 14-18 NOW
Show lessRead more

Meet the creatives behind 'we're here because we're here'14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

England

The daylong work ran from 7am to 7pm and covered the width and breadth of the UK, from Shetland to Plymouth. Sites they visited included shopping centres, train stations, beaches, car parks and high streets – taking the memorial to contemporary Britain and bringing an intervention into people’s daily lives where it was least expected.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

Birmingham

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Steve Haywood14-18 NOW

Plymouth

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Adrian Harris14-18 NOW

Salisbury

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Joel Chester Fildes14-18 NOW

Manchester

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Eion Carey14-18 NOW

Scotland

Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day. The work is partly inspired by tales of sightings during and after the First World War by people who believed they had seen a dead loved one.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Eoin Carey14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Paul Riddell14-18 NOW

Shetland

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Jonny Frazer14-18 NOW

Northern Ireland

The participants wore historically accurate uniforms, representing 15 of the regiments that suffered losses in the first day of the Battle.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Jonny Frazer14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Jonny Frazer14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here, Jonny Frazer, 2016, From the collection of: 14-18 NOW
Show lessRead more

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Mark Douet14-18 NOW

Wales

The volunteers were men aged between 16-52, reflecting the men who would have fought in the Somme. They were not trained actors but came from a range of professions, including a sheep farmer, flight attendant, doctor, lawyer, social worker, shop assistant, portrait artist and GCSE student.

We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Lolo Penri14-18 NOW

Bangor

Credits: Story

‘we’re here because we’re here’ was a UK-wide event commissioned by 14-18 NOW, conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. Produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, in collaboration with 26 organisations.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Armistice Day
Commemorating the end of the First World War
View theme
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favourites