A Night of Colour and Light: Sofonie Dala’s Journey at York Minster

September 08, 2025

A Night of Colour and Light: Sofonie Dala’s Journey at York Minster

From Angola to York, an unforgettable February evening where history, wildlife, and culture illuminated a young woman’s path of discovery

In the heart of York, February carried with it a glow of wonder. For Sofonie Dala, a young African woman from Angola studying in the UK, every day already felt like a chapter in a book she never imagined she would write. Far from home, yet embraced by a city rich in heritage, culture, and community, she found herself invited to one event after another—each one deepening her sense of belonging.

But nothing compared to the evening she stepped into York Minster for the Colour & Light celebration.

The towering South Transept, already majestic in daylight, was transformed into a canvas of light and colour as night fell. Sofonie stood among families, students, and visitors, her eyes lifted upward as beams of luminous art told the city’s stories—falcons nesting high in the Minster, foxes slipping through York’s quiet streets, Roman horses marching into ancient Eboracum, and even legendary dragons carved into the city’s memory.

It was more than a show—it was a living, breathing testament to the bond between history, nature, and imagination.

For Sofonie, who had grown up oceans away from this Gothic cathedral, the experience felt like stepping through a gateway where past and present embraced. She felt the pulse of York’s wildlife woven into its history, and she realized that sustainability was not only about protecting nature—it was also about remembering, celebrating, and sharing the stories of the land and its creatures.

As the lights shifted from radiant blues to fiery golds, she whispered a thought to herself: “This is what it means to be alive in a new world, carrying the dreams of my home, while discovering the treasures of another.”

That night, as she left the Minster and the crisp February air brushed her face, Sofonie knew this moment would remain with her forever—an unforgettable symbol of hope, creativity, and the beauty of cultural exchange.

👉 If you missed the earlier event where Sofonie Dala experienced the York Minster Colour & Light show, click here to revisit her 2024 journey.