Hull’s long-running festival has brought thought-provoking, entertaining arts and culture to the city since 2007.
The Freedom Festival has been known for bringing the best cultural offerings locally, nationally and internationally through all sizes of performances and exhibitions, from spectacular large-scale to reflective and intimate.
The University of Hull's longstanding and productive partnership with the Hull Freedom Festival continues with a vibrant events programme at this year’s event. Hull City Council and the Arts Council are also festival partners.
For this year’s festival programme, researchers Professor Simon Green, Director of the University's Wilberforce Institute, and Dr Nicola O’Leary, Reader in Criminology, have joined forces with the Freedom Festival Arts Trust to launch a pilot study measuring the social impact of the arts on audiences. The aim is to produce an evidence-based toolkit to capture data on how art and culture can influence societal perceptions. A series of ‘Freedom Talks’ will also take place during the festival, to explore these themes.
Other University events include:
Adinkra Symbol art trail
27 August -1 September, 11am-2pm
Wilberforce Institute, High Street, Hull
Cost: free.
The trail is back for another year in the Museums Quarter! A perfect family activity, explore the Ghanaian tradition of Adinkra symbols and their significance to the Ghanaian diaspora. Find out more.
Taking the knee
27 August-1 September, 11am-2pm
Wilberforce Institute, High Street, Hull.
Cost: free.
“Standing united, in this instance, challenges injustice. Taking the knee… is
standing in solidarity.”
An exhibition examining why people have taken the knee, from ancient Mesopotamia to 21st century Britain. As part of ongoing community engagement work between the Wilberforce Institute, Hull Museums, and people from racially marginalised communities, in the city, it features images of those taking the knee in contemporary times, from Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford top England Women’s football captain Steph Houghton. Find out more.
Uncovering modern slavery exhibition
27 August-1 September, 11am-2pm
Wilberforce Institute, High Street, Hull
Cost: free.
Modern Slavery can affect children and adults irrespective of age, ethnicity, gender, religion or background. This is a multi-media exhibition comprised of information boards, small display items and short films including the Anywhere Kids film. Find out more.
Freedom talks 2024
30 August at 6pm, 31 August at 2pm (Public Trust evaluation) and 6pm, 1 September at 5pm.
Venue: Pop-up Space on Pier Street: 30 August, 6pm 31 August. Queen Victoria Square: 2pm 31 August, 1 September.
Cost: free.
Two University of Hull researchers, Professor Simon Green and Dr Nicola O’Leary will be working with the Freedom Festival Arts Trust to begin to measure the social impact of the arts on audiences. Join the ‘Freedom Talks’ to be a part of the conversation. Find out more.