Sacred Ways
Monday 7 May, 13.00 - 17.00
The British Library Piazza
Admission free
This May Bank Holiday, the British Library hosts an afternoon of free art experiences and performances inspired by the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Tying in with major exhibition, Sacred: Discover what we share (April 27 - September 23), the British Library presents a May Day festival with a difference. The festivities will include outdoor performances, open workshops, food, crafts, installations and displays reflecting on sacred places, journeys and traditions.
Upon arrival, visitors will discover a beautifully dressed 'Faith Tent' on the British Library Piazza, housing an evocative array of tiny illuminated sculptures. A number of metalwork installations inspired by Judaism, Christianity and Islam will be displayed and visitors can create their own works of art by joining in the open workshops to produce giant paintings and designs. A food and crafts market will offer the chance to sample foods from the three faith cultures.
Leading London-based vocal groups will perform throughout the afternoon, including the London Jewish Male Choir, IDMC Gospel Choir and the Ameer Khan Qawwali Group. Contemporary Sufi dancer Zia Azazi will bring the day of celebration to a climax with a mesmerising whirling dervish dance.
Visitors to the May Day festival will also be able to see s ome of the world's most important, earliest surviving and beautiful religious texts which have been brought together for the first time in this groundbreaking exhibition. Exquisite and rare examples of Jewish, Christian and Muslim sacred texts from the Library's collections - considered to be the greatest in the world - will be presented alongside treasures on loan from other institutions in a unique and compelling modern context. Many of the lavishly illustrated or decorated books and manuscripts have never, or seldom, been on public display while others will be on show for the first time in the UK.
For more information, please contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office: +44 (0)20 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk
Editors Notes
Monday 7 May, 13.00 - 17.00.
Sacred Ways at the British Library. Admission free.
Sacred; Discover what we share is open from 27 April -23 September 2007, every day. Admission is free. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Timed tickets are in operation. For more information on the Sacred exhibition at the British Library, please visit: www.bl.uk/sacred
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