Light, Sound and Spectacle

30th September 2024

It’s a first at Rochester Cathedral this October when it hosts the premiere of Scriptorium: The Illuminated Histories, a new light and sound show by Luxmuralis specially created to mark the 900th anniversary of the cathedral’s ancient text, Textus Roffensis – Latin for the Tome of Rochester.

Drawing inspiration from the illuminated manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon era,  the light show will feature imagery from manuscripts held at Rochester Cathedral alongside images from the British Library collections.

Scriptorium: The Illuminated Histories will take place over 5 nights from the 1st – 5th October. Tickets are available now through the Rochester Cathedral website and must be pre-booked here.

It’s a first too for Hereford Cathedral this year as it gets ready to welcome Space from 16 – 19 October.

Pictured is Space at Southwell Minster.

Space by Luxmuralis invites visitors to walk amongst projections of the stars and planets and experience the creation story, the Big Bang and a view of our fragile planet, Earth as if looking down from space.

The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said:

“I am excited to welcome people to this great spectacle at Hereford Cathedral as we consider our place in the universe, the extraordinary grandeur and beauty of the cosmos and the miraculous functionality of what gives us life on Earth. 

“Here we can reflect on earth’s beginnings and perhaps its ultimate end in the context of the whole of creation. For me, as the psalmist says, ‘the heavens declare the glory of God’. Perhaps you agree and stand in awe, or perhaps you see nothing but swirling gases and cosmic accidents of physics. Either way, this wonderful light show will make us stand in amazement and wonder. I look forward to experiencing this with you.” 

Tickets and more here

Durham Cathedral will also show Space from 9-13 October, marking a return of the creative duo Luxmuralis to the cathedral for a third year.

By day the Cathedral will appear as normal, then each evening, installations will be projected across all areas inside the cathedral. The artwork will flow through the cathedral, inviting visitors to ponder our relationship with planet Earth. There will also be the opportunity to reflect on the experience and light a candle in the Galilee Chapel.

The Dean of Durham, The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming said:

“We are delighted to be hosting Space by Luxmuralis at Durham Cathedral.  Christians believe that the heavens tell the glory of God, and there can be no better place than Durham Cathedral to help us wonder at stars and space and reflect on our place within the cosmos.”

To find out more and book tickets click here.

Photo credit – Luxmuralis