The Dresden Trust is a British charity dedicated to healing the wounds of war and furthering harmonious relations between the people of Britain and the German city of Dresden in Saxony, one of the greatest centres of European culture.
Founded in 1993 by Dr Alan Russell, it was a response to the 'Call from Dresden' to help rebuild the city, in particular the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) which was destroyed by the British and American bombing in February 1945.
With HRH The Duke of Kent as its Royal Patron and a high visibility campaign, the Trust raised over £1 million. It commissioned a Golden Orb and Cross by goldsmith Alan Smith at Grant Macdonald in the UK. His father Frank was one of the pilots who bombed Dresden in 1945. The Orb and Cross now stand atop the cupola of the Frauenkirche as a symbol of enduring friendship.
The Dresden Trust also fulfils its mission of furthering reconciliation through educational and cultural initiatives, memorials and visits.
The Dresden Trust as a vibrant organisation with a forward-looking Board of Trustees and distinguished Patrons is open to new ideas and projects to further its aims.
News
Remembering
Personal messages from the Trustees remembering the 13th & 14th February 1945 when the historical centre of Dresden was destroyed by British and American bombing.