During the UK half term in the week February 12-16, 2018, Westminster Abbey is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Commonwealth Family Week
During the UK half term in the week February 12-16, 2018, Westminster Abbey is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Commonwealth Family Week.
The Abbey has teamed up with the Royal Commonwealth Society to explore culture and art from the Commonwealth’s 53 member nations, including over 2.4 billion people, or a third of the global population.
Activities have been planned for children aged 3-13 years and begin on Monday February 12, culminating in a special Family Day on Friday.
All activities are free and tickets include entry to the Abbey.
Each day, four activities will take place at staggered intervals throughout the day: Art in the Nave, Music and Dance performances, Commonwealth Family tours, and a Commonwealth flag display in the Chapter House.
In addition, on Monday 12th and Wednesday 14th, a Commonwealth Writers’ Workshop will take place at the Abbey.
Stephen Kelman and Romesh Gunesekera, both Booker Prize finalists, will be running a workshop each for young people aged 14-17 years.
The weeks’ programme will end with a Family Day on Friday 16th, with a last opportunity to participate in the activities on offer throughout the week.
There will be music and dance performances by Commonwealth musicians and dancers, including African drumming and dance by Miishejeloi Dance Theatre of Ghana, Classical Indian Kuchipudi and Kathka dance with Arunima Kumar Dance Company and ANKH Dance, Malay dance with Lili Muslihah and Siti Farahnazirah from Singapore, and Songs from Belize with Mike Lindup and Calysponian with Trinidad and Tobago’s Alexander D Great.
In addition, Art in the Nave will help children create their own artwork celebrating the cultures of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Family Trails will enable visitors to explore the Abbey as the site of the annual Commonwealth Day Service, and the Abbey’s medieval Chapter House will host a exhibit exploring the history and meaning of the Commonwealth nation flags.
