2012 is the year that Coventry Cathedral will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee - a landmark occasion recognising 50 years of service to Coventry's community and the world, both through its unique international mission of peace and reconciliation, and as a cultural centre for the performing arts. For 50 years, the cathedral has been a dynamic centre of worship and mission, a place of pilgrimage, liturgical creativity, and healing; a focus for reconciliation locally, nationally and internationally; for education and the arts; a venue for national services and television and radio broadcasts; and a focal point for the City, the region, and even for the world.
Peace & Reconciliation
The Golden Jubilee theme of “Peace & Reconciliation” is a celebration of the city and cathedral’s extraordinary local, national, and international work of peace and reconciliation. Inspired by the destruction of the Coventry Blitz of November 14th 1940, the cathedral founded the global Community of the Cross of Nails, which now has nearly 300 member organizations in 45 countries working on a range of peace-building and reconciliation programmes.
Icon of Hope
In 2012, the core Olympic values of respect, excellence, and friendship create a powerful connection with both the mission of the cathedral as a World Centre of Reconciliation, and Coventry as City of Peace & Reconciliation. The Olympics have a special focus on celebrating the role of sport in building peace and reducing conflict. The Olympic Truce continues the ancient tradition of suspending all conflict between nations and cities participating in the games, and “calls upon humanity to lay down its weapons, and work towards building the foundations of peace, mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation.
The Performing Arts
The Golden Jubilee will be a celebration of the cathedral as a centre of cultural and creative excellence for Coventry and the nation, with a combination of cultural, civic, and worship events taking place throughout 2012.
The past 50 years have witnessed the creation of a vibrant choral and classical music tradition, and the cathedral now supports four choirs, with children participating from many of Coventry’s schools. The Jubilee programme has a range of events, including a new music composition, commissioned by the cathedral, from composer James MacMillan, performed in an exciting concert by local children with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) ; ‘The Beatitudes’ by Sir Arthur Bliss, written for the consecration of the Cathedral in 1962 but never actually performed there, to be ‘premiered’ by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and broadcast; a performance of Benjamin Britten’s ‘War Requiem’’ with an internationally acclaimed cast, on the 50th anniversary of the premiere and recorded for a television broadcast; and two concerts by Coventry’s St Michael’s Singers. The cathedral’s aspiration in 2012 is for local, national, and international visitors to engage with a world-class choral and classical music programme – attracting new audiences and communities to experience this vibrant musical tradition, perhaps for the first time.
Art & Architecture
Voted the nation’s favourite 20th century building, the cathedral is an iconic collection of architectural and artistic genius. Described by architect Basil Spence as a “casket of jewels”, in 2012 the cathedral will host an exhibition show-casing each cathedral artist, and the extraordinary and innovative creative process behind each work of art.
This major exhibition of art from the cathedral Archive that is not normally available for public viewing reminds us that Coventry Cathedral is proud to be custodian of some world-famous mid-20th century artwork. We are also hosting an architectural exhibition on all 20th century cathedrals created for Guildford Cathedral, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2011. The cathedral ruins will host elements of Imagineer’s “Godiva Awakes” project, with a floral carpet installation in the cathedral ruins and, later, the display of her magnificent cape, with its inspirational messages, in the new cathedral. In May, the cathedral will also host a week-long Flower Festival in partnership with the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies, which will launch a new Coventry Cathedral rose.
Schools & Education
The cathedral hosts over 17,000 school children each year, with most Coventry & Warwickshire school children visiting at least once. In 2012, schools and children visiting the cathedral will be invited to participate in a series of school projects for the Jubilee Festival.
John Irvine, Dean of Coventry, says “The various programmes and cultural activities taking place in communities across the UK demonstrate that London 2012 goes beyond sport. The cathedral’s Golden Jubilee is thrilled to be part of the Cultural Olympiad and shares the Olympic values of peace & reconciliation. In partnership with Coventry City Council and London 2012, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to both showcase Coventry to millions of people across the world and celebrate the extraordinary spiritual and cultural heritage of the cathedral. In keeping with our 1,000-year Benedictine tradition, we look forward to extending a warm welcome and hospitality to many thousands of visitors in 2012 - providing people of all faiths and none with a stimulating and engaging artistic programme.”
