Artist's impression of light projections on St Paul's Cathedral

Where Light Falls - St Paul’s Cathedral

A spectacular installation of light, history and poetry.

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Where Light Falls took place at St Paul’s Cathedral Thursday 24 October–Sunday 27 October 2019. Historic England worked with the Poetry Society and leading creatives Double Take Projections to project powerful poetry, visuals and photography to tell the fascinating story of the St Paul's Watch, volunteers who risked their lives to protect the cathedral during the Blitz.

As bombs rained down over London, and most people took refuge in tube stations and air raid shelters, the St Paul’s Watch volunteers patrolled the cathedral. Armed with sandbags and water pumps, they were ready to put out flames at any moment. Their bravery ensured the survival of a masterpiece that became a symbol of resilience.

Keith Jarrett’s poem ‘From the Log Book’ remembers these brave individuals who risked their lives to save a building they loved. Jarrett worked with local school children, older writers, refugees and migrants with lived experience of conflict, inviting them to respond to contemporary photographs and accounts of the Blitz. 

The final poem incorporates their voices, as well as those ‘From the Log Book’ of the St Paul’s Watch men and women who worked tirelessly to save the cathedral.

Read the full poem

Double Take Projections used the poem together with their own research as inspiration to create a spectacular light show on the exterior of St Paul’s.

Gallery

Click on the gallery images below to see some of the spectacular light show projections at St Paul's

The images projected include King George VI in uniform and his wife Queen Elizabeth. Projected photo makes the West elevation of St Paul's appear to be overgrown with green and purple climbing plant. The Where Light Falls title projection sets the west elevation of St Paul's ablaze in red with the poem title 'FROM THE LOG BOOK' visible in yellow between the two floors of columns. The photo has captured a moment in the projections when pages of the St Paul's Watch log book are being turned through showing the hand writing of watch members who updated it. A green bomber plane seen from above is projected across the West elevation of St Paul's cathedral together with architectural plans of the building. Images of members of the St Paul's Watch are projected on the west elevation of St Paul's Cathedral. One of them holds a fire hose. Image of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and other men, some in tin hats, projected on the west elevation of St Paul's Cathedral. Image of people projected on the west elevation of St Paul's Cathedral.

Where Light Falls accessible formats

We have created audio and text alternative formats to help you experience the Where Light Falls projection and soundscape.

Audio and text alternative

In partnership with Historic England City Of London St Pauls Coventry Cathedral logos

Part of Historic England’s Loss and Destruction Season.

If you enjoyed Where Light Falls, you can visit What Remains, our free exhibition curated in partnership with Imperial War Museum exploring why cultural heritage is attacked during war and how we save, protect and restore what is targeted.

Also of interest

Where Light Falls - Coventry Cathedral