Celebration of the arts goes online
FESTIVAL RUN BY STUDENTS MARKING 20TH ANNIVERSARY
ONE of Leicester’s biggest annual celebrations of arts and culture has gone online for the first time in its 20-year history.
The Cultural eXchanges Festival, run by De Montfort University arts and festivals management students, which runs until Friday is hosting free talks, workshops and performances.
Founder and director Tony Graves said: “This year’s online festival contains so many exciting events.
“It’s been brought together by our students, who have worked incredibly hard over the past six months, and is a fitting programme to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”
Guests including choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne, drag artist Jamie Campbell and environmental activist Scarlett Westbrook.
Beth Chilvers, one of the organisers, said: “Despite the challenges this year, it’s been a great opportunity to be able to connect with artists nationally and internationally and use our online festival to support creatives in what has been a very tough year for them.
“We hope the variety of events happening at this year’s Cultural eXchanges Festival gives people something to be excited about and engaged, with.”
Isabella Blount said: “I have loved being a part of Cultural eXchanges Festival this year and being able to showcase the arts in a time when people need it most is great.
“I am excited for our live music gigs on Facebook as this is something I really missed in 2020.”
This year, due to the ability to stream from anywhere and everywhere, the team hopes the festival will reach people beyond the city.
Events today include an in conversation with voice-over artist Megg Nicol at 2pm and Sir Matthew Bourne on Longevity and Learning with New Adventures, at 4pm.
Tomorrow, there is a book launch, of Poppy Knows Best, by Jon Wilkins, at 2pm, an in conversation with Farrukh Dondhy and Ahmed Jamal at 6pm and a performance and talk by Low Girl and Courtney Askey at 8pm.
For details of the events and how to see them, go to: