A MAJOR arts festival with more than 150 events returned in style – and the date has already been confirmed for next year’s event.
Brighton Festival, England’s largest curated multi-arts festival, saw events, exhibitions and installations taking place across the city between May 7 and 29.
This year’s programme included two world premieres, ten Brighton Festival commissions and three UK premieres in the three-week celebration.
For the first time, the festival welcomed two guest co-directors - Syrian architect and author Marwa Al-Sabouni and Tristan Sharps, artistic director of theatre-makers Dreamthinkspeak.
The pair chose the theme of "rebuilding to inspire".
Among the highlights was the world premiere of Dreamthinkspeak’s Unchain Me.
The sold-out production recast the audience as members of an underground activist group at secret locations across Brighton.
Meanwhile, Marwa collaborated with Syrian architect Ghassan Jansiz to design a pop-up community space on Hove seafront.
Inspired by Islamic architecture, The Riwaq attracted more than 22,000 visitors to 150 different free activities.
Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: "It has been fantastic to see Brighton Festival back at full strength this year, once again welcoming audiences from across the city and beyond.
“I'd like to thank all our artists, volunteers, staff, supporters and our guest co-directors for coming together so brilliantly to make this Brighton Festival one for everyone to enjoy.
“And I’d especially like to thank all our audiences and communities for welcoming the festival back so warmly this year. We can’t wait for Brighton Festival 2023 now and I hope everyone will join us again next May."
Organisers have confirmed that Brighton Festival will return from May 6 to 28, 2023.
The much-loved Children’s Parade also returned after an enforced two-year absence.
More than 5,000 children filled the city centre in an event jointly produced with award-winning community arts charity Same Sky, based on the themes of Rebuilding and Hope.
Closing the festival, Charles Hazlewood’s Paraorchestra brought their music and dance celebration Smoosh! to the streets of Brighton.
The inclusive musical parade saw pop-karaoke classics from Fatboy Slim to Kate Bush performed by a troupe of dancers and a high-energy band.
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