Vivacity, who presented the Museum of the Moon with support from Without Walls, staged a number of free performances during the exhibition week, including a spectacular dance show by Humanhood and Akademi at the opening event, Kindred Drama and Peterborough Opera, and Anna Mudeka. Seeing the Moon in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral has proved a tremendous draw, with a number of people visiting more than once.

There were several opportunities to see the Museum of the Moon in the evening when, just like the real moon, it became more luminous. Fitting around Peterborough Cathedral’s existing busy schedule of events and services as a working church meant that 2 additional evening openings had to be arranged at short notice so as not to disappoint visitors eager to see the artwork.

Artist, Luke Jerram’s, said he was “delighted that so many people came to enjoy the Museum of the Moon. It’s surprising what it means to different people across the world. Thank you to Vivacity for all their hard work, the Cathedral for hosting us and to all the volunteers who helped 'man the moon’.”

Sheena Carman, Vivacity Arts Programme Manager says: “It has been fantastic seeing so many people enjoying this internationally touring exhibit as it came to Peterborough. Everyone, no matter their background - cultural, economic, social - has looked up at the moon and felt some sense of wonder or curiosity. It’s an artwork that anyone can understand and, knowing that people from the city have been able to get up close to, and enjoy, the same artwork as people in China and other places in the world, is a reminder that, no matter how diverse or different we may be, there are some things that as humans we all have in common. This sort of inclusive and accessible art is something Vivacity is committed to continuing to bring to the city.”

The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “We have been bowled over by the number of people who have come to see the Museum of the Moon in the beautiful setting of the cathedral. It has touched visitors of all ages and I am sure that the memories of seeing it at the same time as Tim Peake’s Spacecraft will stay with them. What a wonderful way to remember the Cathedral’s 900th year!”

Sufi:Zen, Orbis and Museum of the Moon were commissioned by Without Walls. Vivacity Arts is a member of the Without Walls ATN, a group of festivals working together to extend the reach and benefits of the existing Without Walls programme in areas where there is low engagement with the arts. For more information on the work of the Without Walls ATN, visit: www.withoutwalls.uk.com/atn

Tim Peake’s Spacecraft, presented by Samsung and the Science Museum Group, has also been on show in the Peterborough Cathedral as part of a national tour since August and continues until Monday 5 November.

Find out more about Vivacity at www.vivacity.org

Find out more about Without Walls ATN  at www.withoutwalls.uk.com/atn/