York Festival of ideas – one of the biggest free events of its kind in the UK – returns in June with the theme of ‘Rediscover, Reimagine, Rebuild’ and featuring a wide range of distinguished speakers and performers including Michael Morpurgo, Anna Phoebe, Louise Minchin, Tim McInnerny, Nazir Afzal, Ian Blackford and Michael Cashman.
Running from 2-15 June, the 2023 Festival aims to help us rediscover our shared humanity, reimagine the cornerstones of our society and rebuild a shared socio-economic contract, both locally and globally.
Building on last year’s Festival, which attracted an audience of almost 40,000 from 153 countries, the 2023 Festival presents an imaginative and accessible hybrid programme featuring more than 150 mostly free talks, panel discussions, performances, family-friendly activities, and more.
This year’s Festival coincides with the 60th anniversary of the University of York, an institution founded with a robust social purpose and which was pivotal in the Festival’s own genesis more than a decade ago. The University leads the Festival and both share an unwavering commitment to the public good.
With the Holbeck Charitable Trust as headline sponsor, the Festival is supported by over 100 local, national and international partners including cultural, social and business organisations, all of whom are passionate about the importance of sharing knowledge and ideas.
This year’s programme ranges from the local to the global, featuring online talks and discussions by world-class speakers, as well as performances, walking tours and fun activities for all the family.
Festival focus events will explore community-led solutions to poverty, the potential for imaginative regeneration for the city of York, the relationships between Africa and Europe, the challenges within our criminal justice system, and more. There will also be a host of events related to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
Look out for the 2023 programme going live on 28 April at yorkfestivalofideas.com and join our mailing list to be the first to see the full programme.