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www.artseast.co.uk
1000 years of The Abbey of St Edmund Photo: Tom Soper
April sees the beginning of Bury St Edmunds’ exciting programme of
From May 9th-13th, a group of walkers will be making a pilgrimage
special events marking the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund by King
from St Benet’s Abbey, Norfolk to St Edmundsbury Cathedral arriving on
Canute 1000 years ago.
May 13th. This walks honours the monks who, in 1020, on the order of
Events include a series of Abbey of St Edmund Anniversary Tours running from April to October. These specially-written guided walks are for visitors who want to find out more about the Abbey and its history. Pre-booking is essential and tour fees apply. From May to November a monthly changing display of sculptures will be on display in the Abbey’s crypt, where the shrine of St Edmund would have stood. Schools and artists have been invited to create artworks on the theme of the Abbey and St Edmund. The first sculpture to be
King Canute, came to set up the Abbey of St Edmund. There will also be a Pilgrimage of Song on May 14th along the seven mile-long old Abbot’s Way from Chevington to St Edmundbury Cathedral. May 14th-15th sees a gathering of Benedictine monks and nuns, from around Britain and other countries, in the Cathedral and Abbey ruins for the first time in 500 years. With guests including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Abiding Wisdom will explore the wisdom of Benedict for 21st century living.
installed will be a giant steel Monk (7ft 6ins tall) designed by Nigel
Other events include a recreation of M R James’ lecture on the Abbey of
Kaines and made by Kevin Baldwin from Designs of Metal.
St Edmund on May 26th, an awe-inspiring performance of
An exhibition of manuscripts from the Abbey Scriptorium are being reunited for the first time in their place of origin since 1539. Hand written and decorated by monks in the Abbey, they will be displayed in the Cathedral Treasury from May 2nd-June 8th.
Rachmaninov Vespers on May 27th by The English Arts Chorale and Eye Bach Choir and a concert showcasing Elgar’s Enigma Variations plus a special Abbey 1000 commission entitled Into the Light by composer Paul Carr performed by the Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra. For the full year’s programme go to
www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/abbey-1000
