Temple 80 Anniversary Gala Evening
Part of the UK ‘Being Human’ Festival. Featuring performative event led by Gentle Radical, supported by Arts Council Wales.
Opened on 23rd November 1938, Cardiff’s Temple of Peace was designed as a place of pilgrimage, a shrine to which the Welsh people could march and dedicate themselves – a ‘New Mecca’ for its time, for people of all faiths and none. Less than a year later, this dream was shattered by the outbreak of WWII.
The organisations of the Temple of Peace invite friends and community members to join in marking our anniversary – at the heart of which will be a performative arts event led byGentle/Radical.
80 years on, join us to celebrate the Temple’s founding principles of peace, justice and health. Take part in a 21st century reimagining of the original Order of Service, combining spoken word, film and song. Through excerpts from the 1938 speeches, you’ll discover the story behind this extraordinary building; alongside the history, the service will feature contemporary creative responses to the Temple, including a new work by acclaimed composer Helen Chadwick. Together, we’ll rededicate the Temple’s Marble Hall back to its original name, the ‘Hall of Nations’.
Before the service, you’ll have an opportunity to explore this stunning Art Deco building, visit the Crypt and the Welsh Book of Remembrance.
6pm Doors open; Reception (buffet and wine) in Entrance;
Self-guided tours of the Temple and exhibition installations exploring Wales’ Peace Heritage
7pm ‘A New Mecca’ Performative Event: Reinterpretation of the opening ceremony and Rededication of the Hall of Nations. ‘A New Mecca’ event led by Gentle/Radical. Supported by the theArts Council of Wales, and the AHRC ‘Being Human’ Festival with British Academy Fellow Dr Emma West of the University of Birmingham.
The evening’s running order will also include, by current Temple of Peace partners (timings to be confirmed):
- Temple80 Fireworks Display
- WCIA Alumni Reception (by invitation – 8.45pm in the Council Chamber)
- Temple80 Film Launch
- Artists in Residence sound installation / performance and poetry recital