From south London’s Ministry of Sound to Ibiza’s legendary superclub Pacha, everyone has a favourite venue for dancing the night away. And now England’s oldest cathedral may be about to join that illustrious list.
More than 3,000 people were expected to take to the floor across four sessions of Canterbury Cathedral’s 90s silent disco to dance to the likes of the Spice Girls, Vengaboys and Eminem, in an event that officials hope will serve to attract a new generation of worshippers to the building’s hallowed cloisters.
However, the decision has sparked a backlash from some in the Church of England, with a petition describing the event as “profane” garnering more than 1,700 signatures. Critics of the event say it belittles the sanctity of the cathedral and that silent discos belong in nightclubs, not “the most important Christian church in England”.
In a message to the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the petition’s organiser Cajetan Skowronski said: “It will not bring young people closer to Christ, rather it will send the message that Christ and his church, and all the truth, beauty and goodness it has to offer, are unimportant. That entertainment deserves our attention more than God. That Christians do not take their faith or their holy places seriously … Make the cathedral a house of prayer once more.”
The Canterbury event, which sold out within an hour of going on sale, is part of a series of silent discos taking place in cathedrals and historic buildings around the UK and Europe. Cathedrals in Guildford and Ely are holding 90s and 80s themed nights in the next few months.
Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 597 and is a world heritage site.
The dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Dr David Monteith, said: “Whether people choose to come to Canterbury Cathedral primarily as worshippers, sightseers or attendees at our events – which include classical concerts, light and sound installations, and craft workshops – it’s always joyous to see them discover this incredible place anew and on their own terms.
“There are many different views on the secular and the sacred. Our 90s-themed silent disco will be appropriate to and respectful of the cathedral – it is categorically not a ‘rave in the nave’ – but I appreciate that some will never agree that dancing and pop music have a place within cathedrals.”
A spokesperson for the event’s organisers, Silent Discos in Incredible Places, said they had the “utmost respect” for Canterbury Cathedral’s importance. They said: “We understand the concerns and respect the beliefs and opinions of those who would feel this inappropriate; however, to clarify, our silent disco is an innocent, feelgood event focused on bringing people together to sing the songs they love in the spectacular surroundings.”
