Brighton Festival kicked off this bank holiday weekend with numerous events and attractions as the city welcomes the creative celebration.
Opened by 2021’s guest director, the poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemm Sissay MBE,
The month-long festival is the first event of its kind to take place since lockdown measures were introduced to the public.
The opening few days have featured socially distanced outside events, such as Shoreham Port’s amazing light and sound performance, performance street tours, Royal Pavilion Gardens’ interactive art exhibit and narrated cycling tours.
Brighton Festival chief executive, Andrew Comben stated that after such a difficult year, its hard to believe this moment had finally arrived, and that while organisation and planning had been such a large task, it would be worth it to see audiences both online and outdoors enjoy such a unique and special event.
He added that it was such a momentous occasion to be the first multi-artform festival to relaunch, thanking Brighton and Hove City Council for advice and support, with encouragement to the visiting public to ensure they follow safety guidance which will allow measures to continue to reduce, allowing arts and culture to continue to make a comeback into everyday life within the city of Brighton.
Other installations at this year’s festival include ‘HERstory’, a citywide audio tour aimed at displaying the stories of real Brighton women throughout the pandemic, as well as recovery poems who have erected neon signage around the area displaying quotes from several different works.
Throughout the month it is believed that almost 100 different attractions will grace the festival, with those not being seen in Brighton being presented as special live streams and online projects across a great number of locations all the way to Worthing.
To take part in this momentous occasion, all events requiring tickets must be booked in advance, with other events having either timed entry or 24-hour access to accommodate social distancing and public safety concerns.
Tickets for all events are still available at www.brightonfestival.org
Photo Credit: Margaux Bellott
