09 June 2020: Stonehenge’s annual midsummer celebrations might have been cancelled to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the prehistoric monument is joining the digital age by live-streaming sunrise at the site on 21 June.
Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and draws thousands of tourists and pagans to the prehistoric site in Wiltshire. English Heritage decided to move the celebration online to prevent crowds from gathering amid the pandemic.
‘We hope that our [livestream] offers an alternative opportunity for people near and far to connect with this spiritual place at such a special time of year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year,’ said Stonehenge director Nichola Tasker.
Sunrise will be live-streamed on English Heritage’s Youtube Channel at 4:52 a.m BST Sunday 21 June 2020. In the meantime, the organisation is running a series of short films on Victorian recipes such as Devonshire Squab Pie, and makeup tutorials from the Roman era to the Blitz as part of its eclectic quarantine digital programme.
