2 February 2012
There is a new reason to visit London in August 2012. In the period between the 30th Olympiad and 14th Paralympics, flowers will be transformed into living works of art. Southwark Cathedral will create a stunning backdrop for the best of contemporary floral design as part of The Leprosy Mission England and Wales's Festival of Flowers.
The event, running for four days from 23-26 August, will take visitors through a breathtaking journey of transformation - through the power and beauty of flowers and artistry, set against the backdrop of an historic and holy space.
The Leprosy Mission has secured Mig Kimpton as artistic director of the festival. Mig, passionate floral designer and multi-award winner including two Gold medals at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, leads a groundbreaking team of over 75 fellow designers from across the UK and Europe.
They will create a journey of colour, light, fragrance and innovative floral installations, a living art gallery and a spiritual oasis in the midst of London at one of the most exciting times in its history.
Says the Very Revd Andrew Nunn Dean of Southwark Cathedral, 'I cannot wait to see the Cathedral transformed by the Festival of Flowers. We are delighted to be working with The Leprosy Mission in this Olympic year as we celebrate together the transformation of all things - lives and communities - and will see this symbolised in the beauty of flowers.'
Visitors will also be able to attend mini-demonstrations hosted by Mig and other members of the design team, where they will be able to see how to produce stunning designs of their own.
Two years ago, The Leprosy Mission had a vision of an event which would highlight the fact that leprosy is a 21st century issue to people across the country. Adds Peter Walker, national director of The Leprosy Mission, 'This August, we hope that our vision of transformation will be realised in an amazing festival that will incorporate the senses we take for granted, but of which people affected by leprosy are so often deprived - sight, smell and touch.'
A key theme - Transformation - was highlighted from the outset, particularly in four key areas:
- Transformation through the good news of Jesus Christ
- Transformation through the work of The Leprosy Mission
- Transformation through sport (particularly for people with disabilities)
- Transformation in the community
The Leprosy Mission England and Wales's project benefiting from the proceeds of the Festival of Flowers will be the Champa Vocational Training Centre in Chhattisgarrh, one of six Vocational Training Centres in India. Each year at Champa, 3,000 young people affected by leprosy are taught the skills to earn a living, rather than beg for one, helping to transform lives and restore dignity.
For further information on this release contact:
Email: press@tlmew.org.uk
Tel: 01733 370505