Breaking the chains with cultural extravaganza

Freedom Festival 2024

Hull is set to come alive with the vibrant sights and sounds of the Freedom Festival 2024, running from 28 August to 1 September. Organised by the Freedom Festival Arts Trust, this year promises an extraordinary lineup of events and performances that celebrate the rich tapestry of human experiences through art and culture. The festival partners include the University of Hull, the Arts Council and Hull City Council.

With over 30 live performances scheduled across the city, the festival offers a diverse array of activities suitable for all ages and interests. Plus, Zebedee's Yard Music Stage which features some of Hull's freshest talent emerging from Warren Records.

Attendees can look forward to a mix of ticketed and free performances. Notable shows include ‘Eternity’ by C!rca at Hull Minster, ‘Univers’ and ‘Bob Marley for Babies’ at Hull Truck. Community-involved performances like ‘Pram People’ in Trinity Square, ‘CODE’ in Zebedee's Yard, a performance exploring themes of county lines, and PAN~//CATWALK’, which delves into clothing and identity.

Local treasures, Tamar & Jo will present ‘Synch or Swim’ while ‘Beats Bus’ and ‘Bench Invasion’ invite public interaction. The University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute will host an exhibition titled ‘Uncovering Modern Slavery’. Continuing from last year's success, the festival will also feature the ‘Freedom On Tour’ event in Bridlington on 30 August, providing free cultural entertainment by the seaside.

Jo Hawkes, Interim CEO and General Manager of Freedom Festival Arts Trust, emphasised the festival's focus on societal issues: "As ever, Freedom Festival will focus on issues that affect our society. 'CODE' offers a look inside County Lines, exploring organised drug and crime gangs. 'Taking the Knee' shows solidarity with racially marginalised communities. With 'Freedom Talks,' we have partnered with criminologists at the University of Hull to explore whether our work influences perceptions of social issues."

The festival's commitment to accessibility is evident, with all outdoor events being free, ensuring that culture remains accessible to as many people as possible. Iconic locations such as Museum Gardens, Princes Dock Street, Queen Victoria Square, Zebedee's Yard, and Hull Truck will be transformed into lively hubs of creativity, hosting a diverse array of music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

For more information and ticketing details, please visit the Freedom Festival website.

Read more about University of Hull Freedom Festival events here: Flooding the city with thought-provoking culture | University of Hull

Freedom Festival Tasters

Freedom Talks : https://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/news/events/freedom-talks/

Code: https://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/news/events/code/

PAN Catwalk: https://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/news/events/pan-catwalk/

Pram People: https://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/news/events/pram-people/

Full lineup: https://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

Credit: Press release provided by Divine PR.