The Julian Festival 2026 Programme

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8 May 2026

 

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Festival High Mass - TBC. More details coming soon.

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9 May 2026​​​​​​

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Annual Julian Lecture: Julian's Sensory World

13:00-14:30 9 May 2026 | Free | Dragon Hall | Margit Thøfner​

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The writings of Julian of Norwich often hinge on small but powerfully evoked sensory details. She invites us to hear rain dripping from eaves, to feel enfolding textiles, to see shiny herring-scales, to smell the sulphurous reek of evil and to weigh in our hands the smallness and fragility of a hazelnut. This lecture explores Julian’s sensory world through works of art and music from medieval Norwich and beyond, works that allow us to grasp something of how Julian’s knowledge of her world was fundamentally embodied, rooted in lived experiences rather than just in contemplation. The central aim is to show how medieval art and music offers fresh perspectives on Julian’s explorations of what it was and still is to be human in a troubling and troubled world.

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Margit Thøfner is a senior lecturer in art history. She took her BA and MA in this subject at the Courtauld Institute in London and her DPhil at the University of Sussex. Since then, Margit has taught at the universities of Sussex, St Andrews, Bristol and East Anglia before joining the Open University in 2021. Her research interests focus on the later medieval and early modern period in the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia and the British Isles. They include painting, print, architecture, sculpture, textiles and metalwork and range across the histories of religion, politics, gender, court culture, public rituals, urban spaces and musical culture.

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Find out more at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/events/julians-sensory-world-embodied-knowledge-in-medieval-norwich/​ or https://julianofnorwich.org/

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12 May 2026

 

Sketch and talk with Julian Shrine Arist-in-Residence

10:30-13:00 12 May 2026 | £5* | The Julian Shrine

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Join us for a morning of sketching, contemplation, and chat about art.

Artist-in-Residence Debra Shipley will welcome you to the Julian Shrine, and encourage you to explore this historic site, including the church, visitor centre and gardens, to experience its unique atmosphere and develop your own expressive visual response.

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The artist will talk about her journey as artist-in-residence and provide some guidance as to how to capture your own thoughts and ideas in visual form.

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This session isn't suitable for children, but no former artistic experience is necessary. Established artists and complete beginners are welcome. 

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Tea, coffee and conversation about art will be offered, with the opportunity to find quiet for private contemplation and creative endeavour. 

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*this event is free for Julian Shrine volunteers in recognition of the work they do to support the Shrine. 

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Advance booking required

to book your place email: 

josiah.english@julianofnorwich.org

 

Refreshments: tea/coffee will be provided

(you might like to bring your own packed lunch

to eat in the garden after the session).

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Materials: please bring your own sketchbook/paper and pencils.