York Minster embraces its Norse Heritage for York's Viking Festival
Viking Tales & Viking Shields, 18 – 20 February 2014
Half-term family fun from 15 – 23 February 2014
On the face of it, a Christian Cathedral may have little in common with Norse-god worshipping invaders, but York Minster is embracing its own Viking roots for the 2014 Jorvik Viking Festival.
The cathedral is running a series of family fun events, plus a chance to discover why the gothic Minster would not be in its present location had it not been for a generous Viking benefactor.
The Viking-themed family events run from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 February when young visitors will be able create their own Viking shield and find out about the Minster during Viking times. Families can also enjoy a mixture of traditional and not-so-traditional Viking Tales in the Children’s Chapel each day with a member of the learning team. Both activities run from 10.00am to 3.00pm each day and the shield making workshops cost £2.50 per participant (normal admission rates apply).
“The land on which York Minster now stands was gifted to the Chapter of York by the Viking Jarl Ulph in the 11thcentury. The Viking lord marked the transfer of ownership by gifting an ornately carved elephant’s tusk – the Horn of Ulph – which is now 1,000 years old and on public display in the ‘Revealing York Minster’ in the Undercroft attraction, beneath the Minster,” comments Kate Whitworth, Learning Manager for York Minster. “In fact, York provided a unique melting pot for Norse and Christian beliefs, with old Scandinavian traditions gradually replaced by Christian ones during the 200 years of Viking settlement – from coins minted with St Peter’s name and Thor’s hammer, to burial traditions which were uncovered during archaeological digs within the Minster walls.”
Throughout the half term week (15 to 23 February 2014), York Minster’s other activities for younger visitors will also be available. These include Little Explorer Backpacks which can be borrowed free of charge from the admissions desk and feature a host of activities and tools to make the most out of a visit, trail sheets with Monty The Monkey to help families explore the cathedral, and a story chest, packed with books and puppets for children aged from 6 months.
York Minster is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm (Sunday, 12.30pm until 5.00pm). Admission costs just £10 for an adult ticket, including admission to the Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft attraction and The Orb, where visitors can see medieval masterpieces in stained glass up close. Up to three children go free with a paying adult. Admission for York residents is free with a valid proof of address.
For more information, please visit www.yorkminster.org or to book tickets to any events, call the box office on 01904 557208.
York Minster, and the neighbouring St William’s College, will also host one of the highlights of the JORVIK Viking Festival – the Ultimate Viking Banquet on the evening of 21 February 2014. Following welcome drinks and a special choral performance in the Quire of York Minster, diners will then be escorted by their Viking hosts over to St William’s College for a superb three course meal. The event is being run in partnership with Jorvik Viking Festival. Tickets cost £65 per person, and are available from the JORVIK Viking Festival website (www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk) or by calling 01904 615505. Please note that tickets for this event are not available from the York Minster box office.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 01904 500698
Mobile: 07810 546567
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
