ORGANISERS say the city’s largest arts festival is now set for the go-ahead this summer.
The 54th Brighton Festival will take place in May, and will start with online events.
Then later in the on there will be “outdoor pop-up locations” and live performances for “socially distanced audiences at venues across the city.
Brighton Dome will be one of the main venues hosting events with “Covid-secure public safety measures” approved to the industry standard.
The popular children’s parade will also return, but not quite in the same way.
Art pieces and banners will be installed along the parade route, but the gathering of up to 20,000 children will not be allowed until next year.
The news follows the announcement that Pride is set to return to Brighton and Hove as normal in August.
Marking the start of the Brighton Festival 2019, the Children's Parade theme this year is folk tales from around the world.
Coronavirus caused the cancellation of cultural events in Brighton and Hove last year, and now organisers hope that events being allowed to return will boost the city's economic recovery.
This year’s festival will launch online later this month with guest director Lemn Sissay MBE a poet, author and broadcaster.
It will include art, music, theatre, comedy, film and literature events, and is a sign that the city wants to get back to normal as one of the country’s cultural capitals.
Brighton UK 30th April 2019 - A large model of the moon rises above Queens Park pond in Brighton this morning ready for tonights Brighton Festival event 'Museum of the Moon' by Luke Jerram . The moon will be lit up tonight and over the weekend accompani
At present the government says new rules on outdoor performances will come into force on May 17, and by June 21 hopes to end the need for social distancing and restrictions on large gatherings and events.
Festival chief Andrew Comben said: “Although the Festival will feel different from previous years, without the large groups of people coming together that we’re used to, we have been planning for a Festival full of beauty and fun that can still happen with social distancing in place.
Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival and Brighton Dome. ..Brighton Festival launch 2019 Picture: Allan Hutchings.
“We believe we can deliver a carefully managed, safe and responsible events programme that will help build confidence with our audiences to bring them back to what they love.
“Lemn Sissay’s artistic vision and the way he speaks to the things that really matter, feels even more relevant today and I’m delighted he has brought fresh inspiration and direction to this year’s programme.
“Our thanks go to our principal funders, Arts Council England and Brighton and Hove City Council who we continue to work closely with on the latest guidance.
“We are grateful for their steadfast support and belief that the arts can play a vital role in the city’s economic recovery.
“Over the next few months, we’ll be flexible in our planning and remain optimistic that with the public’s help, the government’s roadmap will stay on track and that the city can look forward to an arts and culture-led recovery.”
Read more on The Argus:
Lemn Sissay said: “The last year has been incredibly challenging for so many people and in so many different ways.
“We say the arts bring people together but we also mean that through the wonder of the arts our minds and hearts can come together.
“We can use this exciting opportunity to shape Brighton Festival for audiences to enjoy however they choose, whether taking part at home on screen or at a socially distanced event. I’m honoured to see where it will take us and to be with you to experience it together.”
Lemn Sissay is happy to be named as the next guest director fo the Brighton Festival (Hamish Brown)
Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said: “While we cannot be complacent about the case rates in the city, it is welcome news that our city’s much-loved Brighton Festival will go ahead, albeit in a different way and adapted to ensure safe, online and socially distanced events.
“People’s magnificent efforts have already helped bring infections down in the city and it’s vital that we continue to adhere to Covid-19 guidance.
Brighton UK 4th August 2020 - The colourful exhibition " A Simple Act of Wonder " at the Fabrica Gallery in Brighton but will never be seen live by the public because of COVID-19 restrictions but can be viewed online . Ana was amongst a select few invit
“Having some of the Festival events online will help support efforts to sustain low infection rates but will also enable more people to access events, which is a real plus.
“So many of us have missed live music and culture during the pandemic and they are a key part of the city’s recovery so it’s important that everyone continues to play their part to bring back the dearly missed Festival.”
Brighton Festival 2021 will launch on Tuesday 30 March 2021 at brightonfestival.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel