The University's Track and Tennis Building was cloaked in silence last night, interrupted only by the whispers of the students and local residents who gazed at the sprawling and colorful display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
With the quilt's panels draped on the walls, the opening ceremony began with addresses by sponsor members. Mayor Ingrid Sheldon read a poem illustrating the healing and hope that counterbalances the suffering associated with AIDS.
University Senior Athletic Director Keith Molin reminded the audience not to forget the messages symbolized by the quilt after the display ends.
"The next four days, for some of us, will be teaching moments," Molin said. "For others it will be a learning experience. For all of us, it will be moments of reflection.
"This is four days to let us think about what we'll do when these four days are over," Molin continued.
After the opening remarks, the crowd stood on the outskirts of the quarter-mile track while volunteers unfolded the panels lying in bundles on the faded green floor. The Ann Arbor Boys Choir sang while the panels were unfolded before the crowd.
Following a moment of silence that prompted the crowd to join hands, onlookers viewed the panels as the names of those commemorated were read.
"I came for a better understanding of what's going on, for a little inspiration," said LSA junior Kimberly Yee. "It's really powerful. It makes a much more personal experience to put pictures, words and mementos with the statistics."
Stephanie Potter, a first-year student at Eastern Michigan University, said she was moved by the display.
"I've never seen anything like it before," Potter said. "I think it's a good idea to make the community aware that the disease is still here and it's not going away soon."
The turnout was high at yesterday's ceremony, which marked the beginning of the four-day display. Kathy Szakatis, coordinator of the ceremony, said she was impressed by the attendance.
"There are a lot more people than I had anticipated for the opening night," Szakatis said. "I'm very pleased. We spent a lot of time getting the word out to the community."
Szakatis said she hoped people would understand the human aspect of the disease and be more tolerant of those who have it.
"I hope the people will walk away knowing that AIDS is more than just a disease. It's about people who had important lives, and who were important to other people," Szakatis said. "And I hope that some of the discrimination some people feel will dissipate."
Greg Witbeck, a recent University alum, said he came to demonstrate his support for the gay community.
"I'm part of Ann Arbor's gay community," Witbeck said. "It's a show of solidarity. It's very overwhelming.
"I've been holding back tears the whole time. It's a tremendous impact," Witbeck continued.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt began in 1987 by a group of San Francisco residents who wanted to remember the lives of friends and family who died because of the disease. News of the project spread quickly and other major cities began to donate panels to the quilt.
The NAMES Project quilt made its first appearance in Washington, D.C. in October 1987. It has since been displayed in more than 1,000 schools, hospitals and convention centers throughout the nation.
Ann Arbor community members can request space to add panels to the quilt, which now contains more than 26,000 three-by-six foot panels.
"It's powerful," said Huron High School senior Mira Dontcheva. "You see the real people behind it. You hear the disease is out there, but when you see these pictures, it's like 'wow.'"
Donations from people viewing the display will be given to the Washtenaw County HIV/AIDS Resource Center. The display will continue Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
