Glasgow Archdiocese hosts Lenten Festival

The Archdiocese of Glasgow will be starting a Lenten arts festival this week - offering a fantastic array of performances and opportunities to deepen in faith through the arts during Lent and beyond. With international performers from Lithuania, Russia and Italy, a travelling theatre production, a concert by the famous Glasgow Phoenix Choir there is something for everyone.

Highlights include Haydn's Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross during Holy Week; Dreaming up Gerontius: The Story of Newman and Elgar with Fr Brendan Slevin OP; a Plainchant for All weekend with world famous composer James MacMillan and a dramatised presentation of the Gospel of St John with Archbishop Conti and Ricky Ross.

Archbishop Conti said: "Lentfest this year falls at a historic moment in the life of the local Church as we prepare for the reopening of the Cathedral after significant renovation and improvement. The Cathedral itself will be an expression of the Church’s care for and support of the arts with its interior decoration and specially commissioned paintings and carvings and the new Cloister Garden on its east flank will itself house examples of contemporary design and architecture.

"The programme of events begun during Lent will spill over into Eastertide when a musical festival will mark the Cathedral’s re-opening. I hope that as the year progresses more and more people will be drawn through the artistic displays and installations of the Cathedral, and through the programme of events to the challenge and beauty of faith.

Lentfest 2011 offers a high quality programme of varied events, at affordable prices, in the heart of communities right across Greater Glasgow and involves people within those communities as actors and performers. More information at: www.lentfest.co.uk