Peace Doves now open at Rochester Cathedral

The latest large-scale immersive artwork at Rochester Cathedral is now open. Peace Doves is made up of around fifteen thousand individually handmade paper doves which are suspended above the Nave. It is an artwork by Peter Walker Sculptor. It brings a message of peace and hope as the doves collectively form a beautiful artwork which as a whole reflects joining together in unity, peace and hope moving forward.

Over the past few months, thousands of visitors have written their own messages onto paper doves at the Cathedral. These doves are now part of the artwork.

The project has gone beyond Rochester Cathedral itself. Over 60 schools across the South East have signed up to create their own Peace Dove displays at school.

As well as viewing Peace Doves during the day, Rochester Cathedral is holding events in the evening. These begin on the 14th February with a special Valentine’s Day event under a romantic flock of paper doves. They will also welcome local busker, Jordan Ravenhill on the 18th February who is performing at Rochester Cathedral for the first time. A Ukrainian Cultural Event will be held on 24th February marking the 1st anniversary of the war in Ukraine. More events will take place during March and April.

Peace Doves is an artwork that has been re-curated for different spaces as it tours the UK. Adaptations have been seen in many Cathedrals including Liverpool, Lichfield, Derby and Sheffield.

The Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh says ‘In a world of constant conflict the need to work and pray for peace should be central to our lives.  This artwork provides a visible expression for our hopes and dreams for a better world.’

Throughout history the dove has been viewed as a symbol of peace in many different cultures.  For example in Greek mythology the dove is a symbol of the renewal of life, and liturgically within the Bible the dove appears at the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordon and in the teachings of Noah and the Ark as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Rochester Cathedral would like to thank Rochester Riverside Community Fund for their support of this event.

Peace Doves is now open until the 18th April. Admission is free during the day with charges applying for special events and groups. Visitors are encouraged to share images using the hashtag #peacedoves