"Beautiful" Sarum Lights show returns to Salisbury Cathedral
This years display explores cultures and societies lost through time
A popular event has returned to Salisbury Cathedral with the sixth Sarum Lights show opening on Tuesday.
Last years show, called "Time" attracted over 12,000 visitors to the city, with hopes of matching that this year.
The Cathedral is premiering Luxmuralis' "Lost Worlds" production, which explores ancient cultures and societies.
Director of Community Engagement at Salisbury Cathedral, Louise Dancy, said Sarum Lights has become a "calendar event" for the city.
She said: "It feels like half turns out the way, everyone's just got back into school and it's the beginning of that lead into the festive period."
Louise added that the Cathedral is always "blown away" by the response from the public, and there is a joy in seeing the iconic building used in a different way, as well as attractive people from all backgrounds and of all ages.
"When it was built, the Cathedral was not built for it to be empty. It would have been bustling and busy with people from all walks of life, from lots of different places.
"And Sarum Lights does that for us. It opens the doors to such a mixed range of people. I'm always amazed when I'm here on a Serum Lights evening of such the range of people that come through."
Artistic Director at Luxmuralis, and creator of the show, Peter Walker, said it excites him to see the variety of ages attending the show.
He said: "If you go to a fine art gallery, how often do you see hundreds of children? You generally see tourists and maybe in half term you'll see that.
"This is the first night of the premiere of an epic scale fine artwork and parents are bringing their children out to embrace fine artwork.
"That really sort of warms the heart because it's really core to what we do, is make sure that our work is accessible, not locked away in whitewall galleries where it feels exclusive."
While Peter said the show isn't necessarily about educating people, he said it's open for interpretation and allows people to take in the messaging that they feel from the display.
But, with the topic of Lost Worlds and extinction, there is a profound message about what can happen, with depictions of lost societies and creatures.
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to some of the first visitors to get their reaction to the show.
First-time visitor, David, told us it was "excellent": "I enjoyed the sort of kaleidoscope of lights the most, but I particularly like the flowers. There's a bit there in a part of the cathedral which is all about nature, I love that."
Emma described the show as "absolutely beautiful".
She said: "I've loved the history and the stories through the lights. At times, instead of actually just videoing and taking photos, I really have been lost in the moment. It's actually very good for mindfulness and actually appreciating the beautiful cathedral."