Canterbury Cathedral Hosts Silent Disco Event
Sold Out with 3,000 Attendees...Strong Opposition: "Is This a Nightclub?"
Cathedral Officials: "The Cathedral Has Always Been Part of Community Life"
A disco event scheduled to be held at Canterbury Cathedral, a symbol of the Church of England, has sparked controversy.
On the 8th (local time), AFP reported that Canterbury Cathedral will host a silent disco four times over the evenings of the 8th and 9th. A silent disco is an event where participants dance while listening to music through wireless headphones.
All 3,000 tickets for the event have been sold out, featuring 90s music from artists such as Britney Spears, Spice Girls, and Eminem, and alcohol will also be sold.
However, opposition to the disco event is strong. More than 1,600 people have signed a petition against the Canterbury Cathedral disco event, and a prayer meeting is scheduled for the day of the event.
They pointed out that "this is an event more suitable for a nightclub than the most important cathedral in the UK." They also said, "This event will create a false image that Christians do not take their faith or sacred places seriously, rather than bringing young people to Christianity."
In response, Canterbury Cathedral stated, "Cathedrals have always been part of a wider community life," and argued that there is no problem with holding a disco event.
Canterbury, located in the southeast of England, is widely known as the center of medieval English religion and is currently one of the most visited cities by tourists in the UK.
In particular, Canterbury Cathedral, along with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-visit attraction in Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has his episcopal seat at the cathedral.
First built in 597, Canterbury Cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1174 and rebuilt four years later. It was expanded in 1495 and suffered damage during German air raids in World War II but was restored. It is considered an architectural masterpiece showcasing the Perpendicular style, a uniquely English Gothic architectural style emphasizing verticality.
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