Sadiq Khan: 'Congregation has never been more needed than at this time'

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan joined Londoners who have experience forced displacement to launch a new art and choral installation by renowned artist Es Devlin which features their stories as part of a King's Culture programme.

'Congregation' has been co-authored by 50 Londoners who have reflected upon their lives in London, as well as their journeys from more than 25 countries, including Syria, Sudan, Ukraine and Afghanistan. The art installation in St Mary le Strand Church, which runs until 9 October, is accompanied each day at 19:00, by a choral performance outside on the Strand, fusing the voices of The Genesis Sixteen, The London Bulgarian Choir, the South African Cultural Gospel Choir and the Choir of King's College London.

The launch of Congregation, on 3 October, was also attended by King's Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Shitij Kapur, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries Justine Simons, and Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice.

At the event Sadiq Khan praised the "incredible installation," saying: "This is the first time that Es has made me cry. That's the power of art, that's the power of culture."

Congregation is a love story to London and a love story from London and it's never been more needed than it is, at this time in the history of our city and our planet.

He reflected on the anti-asylum riots that took place across the country this summer, saying: "We know that asylum seekers and refugees are dehumanised. They are made to look like 'the other'. We also know lies, misinformation and disinformation can spread. And Congregation, the story that the co-authors are telling, it's so beautiful and so powerful. It's a story of London, of successive generations.

Created by Es Devlin and curated by Ekow Eshun, for UNCHR working in collaboration with The Courtauld and King's, 'Congregation' forms part of Lost & Found: Stories of sanctuary and belonging, a programme of art and ideas, presented by King's Culture.

'Lost & Found' foregrounds stories of sanctuary - exploring themes of refuge, resilience, and the search for safety in a world facing significant social, political, and environmental challenges. This programme of art, film, ideas and discussions reflects King's status as a University of Sanctuary. It has been inspired and informed by King's life-changing research and co-created with artists and communities from across London and beyond.

Congregation will run until 9 October.

Lost & Found: Stories of sanctuary and belonging will run until Spring 2025.