Paisley Unveils Artwork for Major Mural Honouring Scottish Holocaust Heroine Jane Haining
Artwork for a significant new mural dedicated to a Scottish missionary murdered by the Nazis after courageously caring for Jewish schoolgirls in Budapest has been formally unveiled in Paisley. The poignant tribute commemorates the life and sacrifice of Jane Haining, whose remarkable story of bravery during the Second World War is being permanently memorialised in her home region.
The Story of a Scottish Heroine
Jane Haining served as the matron of the Scottish Mission School in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, throughout the global conflict. Demonstrating extraordinary moral fortitude, Miss Haining made the conscious decision to refuse repatriation to Scotland, choosing instead to remain steadfastly alongside the Jewish girls under her care and protection.
This act of profound humanity and defiance ultimately led to her arrest by Nazi authorities in April 1944. She was subsequently deported to the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland, where she was murdered in a gas chamber several months later.
A Permanent Memorial in Her Hometown
The artwork unveiling took place at a special event in Paisley, organised both to honour Miss Haining's memory and to mark the solemn occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day. The town was selected as the location for Scotland's first dedicated wall mural in her memory due to her deep local connections; prior to her missionary work, she spent a decade employed as a secretary at the J&P Coats' Ferguslie Mill in the area.
The proposed mural, measuring approximately nine feet high and sixty-five feet long, features a central image of Miss Haining surrounded by children engaged in reading a book. This heartwarming scene is flanked on either side by portraits depicting her as both a young woman and in her later years. The artwork is destined for a wall at the junction of Brown's Lane and Shuttle Street, thoroughfares she would have frequently used during her daily commute to and from the mill.
Artistic Vision and Community Effort
The project was commissioned by the Renfrewshire branch of the union Unison, with the mural design created by Paisley-based artists Alexander Guy and Caroline Gormley. The artists anticipate commencing the physical painting work in the spring of this year, estimating the process will require around twenty-five days to complete.
Mr Guy expressed his deep personal connection to the project, stating: "I did not know the story of Jane Haining before we were asked to do this and I found it fascinating to research the information about her life. Initially I thought to myself 'Why this woman, because millions of people died during the Holocaust' but the more I read about her, the more I realised how remarkable she was. Jane Haining was a true heroine and her story needs recognition, whether it's in Budapest, Paisley or Dunscore and I'm very honoured and privileged to produce a mural that hopefully does her and all her relatives proud."
He revealed that his creative research drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including the work of muralists in Mexico and Belfast, historical Soviet propaganda, banners from the 1980s UK coal miners' strikes, and the distinctive style of Dutch Delft blue pottery. "What we came up with is an amalgamation of all these influences combined with what I would call our own handwriting," he explained.
Fellow artist Caroline Gormley detailed their technical approach, confirming: "We won't be using spray paints, we will be using brushes and just treat it like a fine art canvas, that's how we'll approach it."
A Moving Tribute for Future Generations
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Miss Haining's niece, Deirdre MacDowell, where attendees laid wreaths and lit candles in her memory. Ms MacDowell shared her emotional response, saying: "It has been an emotional and rather overwhelming day, and we are delighted that the mural will be in a good location in Paisley. It tells Jane's story beautifully with the image of her and the children at the centre of it. There is so much enthusiasm for Jane's story and it is wonderful that the film will be shown in schools so younger generations can learn who she was and from her example."
This permanent public artwork stands as a powerful testament to one woman's extraordinary courage and compassion amidst one of history's darkest chapters, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire and educate the community and visitors to Paisley for years to come.
