Leeds International Festival of Ideas reveals September 2021 programme

The Leeds International Festival of Ideas has revealed its stellar line up and programme set for September of this year.
By Immy Share
Published 24th Jun 2021, 07:26 BST
Updated 24th Jun 2021, 07:28 BST
Katherine Ryan is part of the line upKatherine Ryan is part of the line up
Katherine Ryan is part of the line up

The festival, formerly Leeds International Festival, will present five panel debates alongside four keynote speeches - running from Monday, September 13 to Monday, September 27.

It will challenge key issues and viewpoints all impacted on during the last 18 months.

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The festival will bring renowned names, experts in their field and some thinkers to share their thoughts and ideas in a series of talks and discussions.

It will examine everything from loneliness and inequality to the future of food, the media and economic growth vs sustainability.

Leading the line-is 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.

They promise to enthrall audiences on subjects close to their heart.

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There will also be appearances from 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.

The events will be held at a number of city centre venues.

Andrew Cooper, from LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), which brings the festival to the city, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Leeds International Festival of Ideas to the city this year, presenting a programme which promises to be innovative in its exploring of new ideas while reflecting how thinking has been affected during recent times.

“After a challenging year for everyone, it is exciting for LeedsBID to be collaborating with city centre partners and it is great to be working together in planning events in the city once again.”

Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas lead said: “After a long time planning we are so pleased to reveal the initial plans.

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"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.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg."

Tickets and the full programme will go live on Friday, July 2 at 9am here.

Related topics:Alastair CampbellGeorge Clarke