Tuesday 28th July 2026
at 2.30pm in the State Chamber
‘Here comes the sun’: the mythological and religious story of humanity’s relationship with the solar. This talk explores the way in which different cultures through the centuries have responded to the star which gives them life, from the Sun God Huitzilopochtli of the Aztecs to Stonehenge, the luminous paintings of Turner to poetry presenting Christ as ‘the Great Sun’.
Speaker: Rev’d Canon Dr Alison Milbank
Alison Milbank is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Literature at the University of Nottingham and Canon Theologian of Southwell Minster. She writes on many aspects of religion and culture and her most recent monograph is God and the Gothic: Religion, Romance and Reality in the English Literary Tradition (OUP, 2018). She has a primer on Literature and Theology coming out soon from Cambridge and is working on a new scholarly edition of the 1831 edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Tickets cost £7 (plus booking fee)
BOOKING AVAILABLE in the Cathedral Shop, and online soon.
Shine a Light on…: we are shining a light on aspects of the Minster’s life, history & heritage.
Whether you’re a heritage enthusiast or simply curious, join us for fascinating insights from academics, experts, and our own passionate guides. Tickets may be bought in advance through the Minster website, or the Cathedral shop, or on the door. This series of talks complements Luke Jerram’s magnificent ‘Helios’ (sun) installation which will be in the Minster in July / August 2026.