Leeds International Festival of Ideas is set to make a storm in the city this September when it presents an ambitious program packed with inspirational speakers
Formerly known as Leeds International Festival, highlights include thought-provoking panel debates and inspirational keynote speeches, aiming to explore and challenge the ways in which we view the world.
Some big-name speakers like Lenny Henry and Katherine Ryan have already been teased out, but now organisers have finally revealed the full 2021 lineup and there are some brilliant names on there.
These include Guilty Feminist podcaster Deborah Frances-White, multi-award-winning Parliamentary sketch writer Matthew Parris and Dazed columnist Bolu Babalola.
Organisers have also given insights into what the debates will be on this year, revealing that questions like ‘Can we ever be who we want to be? Does the future have enough food? Are we more lonely? Is the UK media broken and finally Green or Growth?’ will take center stage at the event.
This year, the festival runs from Monday 13th to Monday 27th September and will take place at three key venues: City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Corn Exchange.
The festival aims to provide a platform for the exploration of new ideas and innovation while confronting the challenges of our time and discussing the world of tomorrow.
Leading the line-up this year are four famous figures: actor, comedian and campaigner Sir Lenny Henry CBE, comedian and presenter Katherine Ryan, architect and campaigner George Clarke and founder of the MOBO organisation Kanya King CBE.
Others due to attend includ economic expert and BBC presenter Evan Davis, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alix Fox, Tony Blair’s former Communications Strategist and Chief Spokesman Alastair Campbell, campaigner, speaker and writer Gina Martin, Masterchef Judge, Guardian food critic and Author Grace Dent.
“After a long time planning we are so pleased to reveal the plans,” said Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas Lead.
“From Sir Lenny Henry headlining and talking at Leeds’ premier venue to chatting over why the UK media is broken with some of its best journalists, to the important chats around businesses growing whilst being sustainable after a pandemic with hot topics in Leeds around the airport, to what does the future of food hold for us.
“Imagine, in just 6 of the days sitting in the Corn Exchange watching such a calibre of acts like George Clarke, Kanya King, Katherine Ryan and culminating with Sir Lenny Henry.“
Tickets for Leeds International Festival of Ideas and the full program will go live and on sale at 9am on Friday 2nd July 2021 via the festival’s website.
The full list of events taking place as part of this year’s festival:
Are we more Lonely?
13th September – 19:00
City Varieties Music Hall
Featuring Deborah Frances-White, Dr Melrose Stewart, Alix Fox, Emilia Van Hauen, Bolu Babolula
The MOBOS and Me with Kanya King CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 19th – 16:30
Does the Future have enough food?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 20th – 19:00
Featuring: Grace Dent, Dr Morgaine Gaye, Mike Lee, Ben Davy (Meatless Farm), Ness Knight
Living in a Future City with George Clarke
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 21st – 19:00
In Conversation with Katherine Ryan
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 22nd – 19:00
Can we ever be who we want to be?
Leeds Town Hall
September 23rd – 19:00
Featuring: Amrou Al-Kadhi, Hashi Mohamed, Caroline Criado Perez, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Gina Martin
Is the UK media Broken?
Leeds Town Hall
September 24th – 19:00
Featuring: Evan Davis, Amol Rajan, Alastair Campbell, Matthew Parris, Robyn Vinter
Who am I, again? With Sir Lenny Henry CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 25th – 19:00
Green or Growth?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 27th – 19:00
Featuring: Michaela Strachan, Henri Murison, Paul Chatterton, Noga Levy-Rapoport
