A unique new festival is coming to Liverpool to show the city's opposition to racism.
Musicians, artists, actors, athletes, historians, media personalities, politicians and activists will unite in a city-wide statement of solidarity against racism and hate. A week-long series of impactful, thought-provoking, entertaining and creative events will form Liverpool Against Racism (LAR) – a festival which will shine a spotlight on the subject of the prejudice endemic in today’s society.
Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK and the brainchild of Liverpool's mayor, Joanne Anderson, LAR will take place on Sunday, April 24 to Saturday, April 30. Highlights include a music showcase, as well as creative workshops, debates and more.
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Liverpool Against Racism will kick off on Sunday, April 24 with an impressive one-day music showcase which will take over venues in the Baltic area of the city. Camp & Furnace, 24 Kitchen Street and District will play host to some incredible Liverpool acts including The Christians , The Farm, Lapsley, John Power, Sense of Sound and Greg Wilson all forming part of the 50+ strong line-up. Tickets for the full day will cost just £5 plus booking fee, per venue.
On Tuesday, April 26, the latest addition to the Liverpool skyline, The Spine, will be host to a boundary-pushing in-person conference that will feature local, national and international contributors from across the world of media, sport, fashion, business and education. They will passionately share their thoughts, experiences and advice in addressing racial and social inequalities, and debate what meaningful change really looks like.
British historian David Olusoga, leading diversity and inclusion consultant Joanna Abeyie MBE and American author and journalist Kevin Powell will join Mayor Joanne Anderson as the day’s keynote speakers. ‘In Conversation’ sessions, workshops and presentations will be led by contributors such as TV presenter Charlene White and former boxing champion Tony Bellew.
There will also be representatives from the likes of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs as well as leading diversity, inclusion and equality practitioners. The full-day conference is ticketed and will cost £20 per person plus booking fee. Places are limited.
Other highlights, on Friday April 29, will shift the focus to young people, and in partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the Youth EMPOWER conference will take place at LJMU Student Union across the day. Teenagers from schools across the city will be encouraged to explore what racism means to them.
Creative workshops will sit alongside open and frank discussions as the 13 and 14-year-olds produce work responding to the topic, culminating in a showcase at the end of the day. Inspirational figures such as champion boxer Natasha Jonas will share their inspiring story with attendees.
Cultural organisations are supporting the week of events by staging their own activities – which range from walking tours and poetry workshops, to skating festivals and talks around understanding the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. The whole programme has been curated by Creative Consultant Yaw Owusu.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: “I have been committed to tackling social injustice my whole working life. When I became Mayor I wanted to use that position of power to make a positive change and tackle prejudice and hate acts in Liverpool.
“The events of the past two years, particularly the death of George Floyd, has given me additional momentum – the world responded and demanded that something has to change. People of all races stood together to demand an end to the racist behaviour we are surrounded by on a daily basis.
“Many organisations made anti-racist statements and pledges. Liverpool Against Racism is a cultural response and an opportunity for our cultural organisations in the city, and wider region, to share with us what action they have taken in recent years.
“The festival is part of the ongoing debate we have about racism, how it impacts and look at what meaningful change really means. All people of all backgrounds are welcome to join in and participate.
“Shining a spotlight on the topic may well be uncomfortable and, for some, upsetting, but it is also empowering, thought-provoking, ambitious, impactful and quite simply, essential. I couldn’t be more proud that Liverpool is hosting this unique event which is of huge cultural importance – once again, we’re leading the way and speaking out against social injustice and taking positive action.”
For the latest event and line-up information, or to purchase tickets, click here.
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