WHAT IS THE MOON TO YOU?
We all have at least one response to this question. Whether deeply personal, rooted in science, religion, cultural traditions, songs or stories, our responses can set off a stream of reflections. When we share these reflections, we expand our understanding of the world we live in and illuminate the points of connection between us.
‘What is the Moon to you?’
Collated responses from GMT community workshops 2018-2019
Greenwich Moon Time (GMT)
With the question ‘What is the Moon to you?’ at its heart, our Greenwich Moon Time community engagement programme set down local roots for the Aluna project. In 2018 and 2019 we took a collective deep dive with diverse community and cultural groups and institutions in Greenwich into exploring the myriad meanings of the Moon.
The success of the GMT programme highlighted the appetite across cultures, generations and social spheres for an inspirational landmark like Aluna in Greenwich. It also showcased Aluna’s potential as an access point for education, celebration and community empowerment.
With funding from Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants, the Royal Borough of Greenwich Community Arts Fund, Royal Museums Greenwich and private donations, Stages 1 and 2 of the programme delivered over 60 workshops and co-design sessions involving over 3,500 participants from local groups and institutions:
- National Maritime Museum Learning & Interpretation, Community Participation and Exhibitions
- Royal Observatory Greenwich
- Royal Greenwich Schools and Public Health directorates
- Greenwich Wicca Moon Organisation
- Chinese communities in Greenwich, Lewisham and Newham
- James Wolfe Primary School with Centre for the Deaf
- Morden Mount Primary School
- Afyah Organisation (Afyah Sisters Women’s Support Group)
- Greenwich Vietnamese Women’s Group
- Greenwich Nepalese Women’s Group
- Nigerian Community Greenwich
- Black Female Entrepreneurs
- People’s Parlour at Rothbury Hall
- Emergency Exit Arts
- Glydon Community Centre
- Woolwich Common Community Centre
- Flamsteed Astronomy Society
- New Crescent Society
- Normal Lockyer Observatory
- Skills & Care Greenwich
- Royal Greenwich Live Well Champions
- Thamesmead Festival
- Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park
- Kidbrooke Village Summer Fete
- Berkeley Homes
- Cowley Road Carnival, Oxford (who had heard about our programme)

‘What is the Moon to you?’
GMT Co-design Workshop with Community Leaders, National Maritime Museum
There’s a gallery at the bottom of this page showing selected images from the workshops. These activities culminated in these four major events:
BRINGING THE MOON BACK HOME
Eid Hilal Moon Sighting, Plumstead, Greenwich 4 June 20191.5 Day Old Crescent Moon, 2% illuminated, 4 June 2019, Glyndon Park, Plumstead, London SE18
© Mike Meynell, Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Direction of Crescent Moon Set on 4 June 2019, Glyndon Park, Plumstead
© Laura Williams / The Aluna Foundation
Glyndon Community Centre and its adjoining hilltop park were home to an inspirational celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim festival that follows the month of fasting, Ramadan. Co-designed and delivered by the 60-strong Afyah Sisters Support Group (aka Afyah Organisation) in partnership with Aluna and the Flamsteed Astronomy Society, this was not only the first Eid Hilal (crescent) Moon sighting to be held in Plumstead, but also the first to be organised by Muslim women.
Described by the Afyah Sisters as ‘bringing the Moon back home’, their event aimed to reinstate the traditional practice of viewing the Eid crescent Moon from a local hilltop and reinforce the Plumstead Muslim community’s connection with its local environment.
Part of a UK-led international movement championed by The New Crescent Society, the Plumstead event linked live via social media to the Moon sighting at the Royal Observatory, and countless other UK-wide sightings taking place that evening.

“That was one of the best reactions to an astronomical object that I have ever witnessed! It clearly meant so much to everyone and it was a real privilege to be with you all.”
“Sisterhood means looking for what connects us to each other, our neighbours, our local environment and our planet. This event is about emphasising ours and our children’s connection with our home in Plumstead, the people we live with here and the world around us. We all look at the sky and share the same Moon, so let’s unite around it. This night is like Christmas Eve for Muslims. We want everyone to take part in its joy.”
GREENWICH MOON TIME EXHIBITION
James Wolfe Primary School & Centre for the Deaf, Greenwich 3 July 2019GREENWICH MOON TIME EXHIBITION
James Wolfe Primary School & Centre for the Deaf, Greenwich 3 July 20191.5 Day Old Crescent Moon, 2% illuminated, 4 June 2019, Glyndon Park, Plumstead, London SE18
© Mike Meynell, Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Direction of Crescent Moon Set on 4 June 2019, Glyndon Park, Plumstead
© Laura Williams / The Aluna Foundation
Glyndon Community Centre and its adjoining hilltop park were home to an inspirational celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim festival that follows the month of fasting, Ramadan. Co-designed and delivered by the 60-strong Afyah Sisters Support Group (aka Afyah Organisation) in partnership with Aluna and the Flamsteed Astronomy Society, this was not only the first Eid Hilal (crescent) Moon sighting to be held in Plumstead, but also the first to be organised by Muslim women.
Described by the Afyah Sisters as ‘bringing the Moon back home’, their event aimed to reinstate the traditional practice of viewing the Eid crescent Moon from a local hilltop and reinforce the Plumstead Muslim community’s connection with its local environment.
Part of a UK-led international movement championed by The New Crescent Society, the Plumstead event linked live via social media to the Moon sighting at the Royal Observatory, and countless other UK-wide sightings taking place that evening.

“That was one of the best reactions to an astronomical object that I have ever witnessed! It clearly meant so much to everyone and it was a real privilege to be with you all.”
“Sisterhood means looking for what connects us to each other, our neighbours, our local environment and our planet. This event is about emphasising ours and our children’s connection with our home in Plumstead, the people we live with here and the world around us. We all look at the sky and share the same Moon, so let’s unite around it. This night is like Christmas Eve for Muslims. We want everyone to take part in its joy.”
MID-AUTUMN HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich 14 September 2019MARITIME LECTURE SERIES, THE MOON
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich September - December 2019Launch event at Trinity Buoy Wharf
Photos © Mark King, lantern © Peter Hilary
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