Today we have announced the initial line up of shows, exhibitions, events, concerts, walks and talks in the 2021 programme with the theme ‘Shining Light’ on Bloomsbury people, culture, art, communities, heritage, discoveries and science.
Opening festivities are focused on Cromer Street and a free outdoor spectacle with a procession including Bengali silk banners, kinetic tigers, and musicians, and lightworks including neon sculptures by Chila Kumari Singh Burman and live video projection from street artist Mohammed Ali. From 6.30pm to 8.30pm Friday 15 October.
The artistic programme boasts music from the London Handel Festival, performances from Pascal Theatre Company and The Place, walking tours of the area and a newly commissioned play about Minnie Lansbury and the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921, with an accompanying talk.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladeshi independence Bloomsbury Festival has teamed up with The British Library and Camden Mela, with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund, to offer a celebratory event for everyone in the outdoor piazza and indoor foyer and theatre of the British Library, featuring performances, talks, film screenings and food.
Festival director Rosemary Richards said, “We have a wonderful range of entertaining and thought-provoking events this year. The programme allows us to put in the spotlight the very best of established and emerging creative talent in Bloomsbury, and celebrate the diversity of the area, and its local communities.”