Weaving Hope – Coventry Cathedral

‘Weaving Hope’ a project between Coventry Cathedral and Coventry’s Ukrainian community to bring people together and share their longing for peace in Ukraine, will leave the cathedral at the end of this month.

Weaving Hope – last chance to see it at Coventry Cathedral

The project led by the cathedral’s canon for arts and reconciliation the Revd Canon Mary Gregory, opened in the cathedral at the beginning of September. Visitors were encouraged to take part and write prayers on strips of cloth before they were woven into the net.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the women and children of Ukraine have been weaving camouflage nets to help protect those defending their country.

Often as they weave, the women sing songs of lament and of hope, prayers for their country and prayers for peace. Weaving the nets brings women and children together in communal activity, listening to one another and supporting one another.

The ‘Weaving Hope’, net has been woven in traditional camouflage colours before it will be transformed into bright colours of new beginnings.

A spokesperson for the cathedral said this transformation would reflect the story of Coventry Cathedral which was ruined and rebuilt during the Second World War and which now stands as a sign of hope for Ukraine and for all the war-torn regions of the world.

This project has been developed with Lviv Academy of Arts, where weaving has been taking place for 8 years, and with Medical Aid West Midlands.