Lichfield Cathedral shines out in the darkness
There’s just a week to go before the dark winter nights will be punctuated by the award winning ‘The Cathedral Illuminated’ which this year will run each evening from Thursday 16 December to Wednesday 22 December.
‘The Cathedral Illuminated’ – the ever popular sound and light exhibition by the creative artistic team Luxmuralis – will this year take the theme of The Manger. The iconic west front of the Cathedral will be the backdrop for a son-et-lumiere telling of the Nativity – the story which lies at the very heart of Christmas. The inside of the 900 year old building will be bathed in music and light, with images of angels, stars and stained glass, immersing visitors in the Christmas story. In addition the old Bishop’s Palace will be covered in sound and light projections representing the popular Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Peter Walker, Artist in Residence at Lichfield Cathedral and one of the Luxmuralis team said, “This is the biggest ‘The Cathedral Illuminated’ that we have ever produced at Lichfield Cathedral. Following a difficult couple of years as we’ve all coped with the pandemic, this year’s illuminations are designed to convey great enjoyment and celebration, bringing to life the themes of hope and light and joy associated with the Christmas story.”
The Cathedral Illuminated is sponsored by Richard Winterton Auctioneers. Richard Winterton said, “The Cathedral Illuminated has grown into one of the city’s biggest – and literally brightest – Christmas occasions and one of its most iconic. We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of this wonderful event which brings joy to thousands of people. Following the hardships of 2020, when it was not possible for the illuminations to take place, and the difficulties of this past year, we fervently hope that this year the show will serve as a beacon of light to a brighter future, built on festive cheer and Christmas spirit.”
The Winterton name has been synonymous with auctioneering across Staffordshire since 1864 and is proud to remain an independent family-run firm rooted in Lichfield.
Tickets, which are selling out quickly, are available from the Lichfield Cathedral website http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/illuminated
Another popular family event continues as the Christmas Tree Festival makes a welcome return to the Cathedral featuring 45 Christmas Trees, decorated and sponsored by business, charities, local organisations and schools, ranging from Lichfield Litter Legends to the National Memorial Arboretum, and from Pool House Vets to the Plant Pot Garden Centre. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite tree and all proceeds raised will go to the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral who work tirelessly to raise money to support the 900 year old Cathedral and to preserve it for future generations. The Christmas Tree Festival is open every day until 02 January and visitors are asked to check the Lichfield Cathedral website for opening times, which will vary from day to day during the very busy lead up to Christmas.
A spokesperson for the Cathedral said, “The Cathedral will also be offering a full schedule of Advent and Christmas services, ranging from popular carols with the Salvation Army Band, to a Christingle service to Midnight Mass. Details of all the services are on the Cathedral website and everyone is welcome to come to celebrate Christmas with us in the place where the people of Lichfield and beyond have rejoiced in good news of the birth of Jesus for over 900 years.”