Kent Pilgrims’ Festival Celebrates Kent’s Rich Heritage
Published: 12/08/2022
A modern-day pilgrimage festival is being launched this autumn, from the 21 to 25 September, to celebrate Kent’s rich pilgrim heritage. Pilgrims have been following the county’s ancient walkways and following in the footsteps of the millions gone before them since the medieval times.
A pilgrimage is, in its modern form, open for all to enjoy and experience. It can be transformational and invites locals and visitors to experience new people and places. The simplicity of pilgrimage is the perfect antidote to our fast-paced, modern living, and making a connection with the natural environment, your surroundings and others is encouraged. Coordinated by the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Trust and the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, in partnership with match funders and stakeholders, The Kent Pilgrims' Festival this September is celebrating the downs area of the county as a global destination for a modern interpretation of pilgrimage through a series of walks, talks, exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and events.
The festival hopes to reach out to audiences and inspire those who never thought of pilgrimage as something for them to enjoy. In addition to the abundance of walks, there are a host of accessible events to suit all ages and interests. From performances of poems and music evoking the experience of walking from Canterbury on the way towards Rome, to three-day workshops on saint icon painting culminating in an exhibition, and the release of Red Billed Choughs, there really is something for everyone.
Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, commented: “This modern-day pilgrimage festival encourages everyone to join, whether you’re seeking natural beauty and places of glorious creation, looking for real connections – with yourself and something greater, or improving your health and wellbeing while reconnecting with your faith. All you need is a love of the great outdoors.
“Pilgrimage doesn’t have to be religious at all. Improving wellbeing, recovering from a loss, or even raising money for charity are just some of the reasons people take part. Pilgrimage welcomes people of all faiths or no faiths. It’s open to all. Bring your own beliefs.”
The seven pilgrim routes surrounding the festival include The North Downs Way, The Via Francigena, The Way of St. Augustine, The Augustine Camino, The Old Way, The Pilgrims Way and The Royal Saxon Way. The routes range from short and easy to follow walks for beginners to much longer UK to Europe ventures for those seeking a greater challenge.
