This autumn, Hereford Cathedral will host a series of events celebrating Space & Other Worlds which will conclude with a special week of lectures and activities inspired by C S Lewis’ beloved classic, The Chronicles of Narnia.
The first event of Narnia Week, on Friday 25 October at 7 pm, is a lecture by one of the world’s leading theologians Dr Rowan Williams, ‘Becoming as Little Children: CS Lewis, Narnia, and the Theology of Storytelling’.
When C S Lewis wrote his first Narnia book, he was still best known as a brilliant, fluent, takingno-prisoners apologist for robust Christian teaching. Children’s fiction was an unexpected departure for him.
What did this enable him to say that he couldn’t otherwise have said? And what does this say about the role of the imagination in faith today?
On Monday 28 October at 7 pm, you can join the online talk, Paths in the Snow. In this talk, Dr Jem Bloomfield will explore the way Narnia weaves together literary and theological meanings.
He will point to moments where Narnia is enriched by literary allusions to medieval poetry, renaissance epic and detective novels.
The talk will highlight the way the novels enchant the world around us, and draw us towards a mystery beyond the Narnian horizon.
Dr Jem Bloomfield is an Assistant Professor of Literature at the University of Nottingham and a Reader in the Church of England. He has authored several books, with his most recent work being Paths in the Snow: A Literary Journey through The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
For families, the cathedral is hosting a Narnia Storytelling event (which is now fully booked) before the week concludes on Thursday 31 October, with a special Narnia-themed Messy Church.
Families are invited to take part in a creative experience, with crafts and activities for all ages with a story, song and pizza at 12.30pm.
Messy Church is church for families and all, it is Christ-centred and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration.
The Revd Canon James Pacey, Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral, said: “For many of us, hearing, reading or watching The Chronicles of Narnia as children was our first insight into the wonders of Christianity.
“Who can forget hearing the powerful words of the end of the Last Battle, or hiding behind the sofa at Barbara Kellerman’s terrifying portrayal of the White Witch in the 1980s BBC adaptation. In these timeless stories we hear the themes of hope vs sorrow, of faith vs doubt and of good vs evil and in the majestic figure of Aslan we are given fresh insights into the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As someone whose Christian journey has been heavily influenced by the works of C S Lewis, I am absolutely delighted that we are able to host such a varied season of Narnia related events and look forward to welcome you to discover for yourself the close link between that magical world and the truth of the Christian faith.”
For full details on all events and to book tickets, please visit the Hereford Cathedral website: www.herefordcathedral.org/events
