We have been making ritual journeys for millennia, ever since our ancient ancestors followed migrating animals, coming together to hunt and celebrate. The era of setting out as a matter of survival is long gone, but the impulse to travel somewhere sacred to us remains. Each year, 200million of us embark on a pilgrimage of some kind. 

The book is an exploration of our primal urge towards journeys of purpose, wonder and self-discovery. While many notable pilgrim festivals and shrines can be found within these pages, the book focuses on the ‘why’, rather than on the ‘where’. From the Stone Age pilgrims of Anatolia to the present-day, We Are Pilgrims is a quest to understand what drives this rich and varied human behaviour, unbounded by time or space, faith or identity. Through her quest to understand this phenomenon, Victoria Preston discovers that, whether we set forth in search of solace or liberation, as an expression of gratitude or faith, journeys of meaning and purpose are a powerful reminder that we are each part of something much greater than ourselves.

About the Event

Through conversation with Bishop Toby Howarth, the author discusses the topic of pilgrimage and what drives so many of us to undertake such journeys, either as an expression of faith, gratitude, kinship, or in search of solace or enlightenment.  We encourage you to bring insights on pilgrimages you have made, and any thoughts you might have on pilgrim journeys you are planning.  The book explores the topic across all major faiths and all are welcome.