Beyond Victory
Upcoming events
On VE - or Victory in Europe - Day in May 1945, Westminster Abbey hosted thanksgiving services every hour, welcoming an estimated 25,000 people. Join us this May and June as we unpack life beyond victory, with a season of events about rebuilding society and the legacy of conflict.
Commonwealth Festival
Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
10.00am - 2.30pm
The Abbey
Included in the price of admission
Beyond Victory Panel: Destruction, Restoration and Commemoration at Religious Sites
26th May - 20th June 2025
10.00am - 3.00pm
Chapter House
Included in the price of admission
Enhance your visit
As part of your ticket during May and June, there are more opportunities to explore Beyond Victory:
- Join a drop-in 10-minute talk with a member of staff about our Memorial of the Month
- Visit St Margaret's Church to see eye-catching Piper windows (pictured) that replaced damaged stained-glass windows
- Don't miss the Battle of Britain window, at the back of the Lady Chapel, which is a colourful commemoration to British and allied forces from British and allied forces from around the world
- Look out for signs explaining the impact of the Second World War on the Abbey
- Create your own origami crane, a symbol of peace from Japan, on Saturdays throughout May and in half term
A Priest's Perspective
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey shares his views on regularly asked questions about peace and conflict, including why Christians believe justice is importance for victims, whether forgiveness should always happen and is peace an impossible dream.
Why do Christians believe justice is important for victims?
Play video
Should Christians always forgive those who do wrong to them?
Play video
Is peace an impossible dream?
Play video
Remembering War, Rethinking the Tasks of Peace
This Autumn, Westminster Abbey Institute continues the conversation in the context of public service.
Throughout the Second World War, despite suffering damage in the Blitz, the Abbey remained a sanctuary for public servants and members of armed forces from across the UK and its Allies. After the war, the Abbey continued to offer a place of renewal as new organisations dedicated to international relations were founded around Parliament Square.
This process continues today, 80 years on, as we explore what peace means. Amidst continuing conflict around the world and threats to global cooperation, Westminster Abbey Institute asks: Why remember war? How can public servants balance the pursuit of the ideal with pragmatic realities? What resources can shape the current tasks of peace?
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