Celebrate the literary area through music and cultural events
Established in 2006, the annual Bloomsbury Festival is back for another year (16-25 Oct).
Each year, the festival celebrates the Bloomsbury area through more than 100 artistic, cultural and scientific events.
Past events have included schoolchildren dancing in the dark holding neon lights, a bonfire inside a giant metal skull and a guitarist performing live on Store Street.
Each year has a different theme. Last year’s was Small Steps and Giant Leaps – a reference to the 50th anniversary of the first landing on the moon.
2020’s theme
The festival is now a 10-day annual event.
This year, it is themed around Vision, making visible the parts and people of Bloomsbury rarely seen.
Tune in to Bloomsbury Radio on 87.9FM (16 Oct, 3pm-6pm) to listen to the festival launch.
While many events in 2020 are digital, there are still some socially-distanced real-life events scheduled.
However, in light of the government’s announcement that London is in Tier 2, it’s wise to call before attending.
2020’s events
This year’s highlights include the pianist Anna Szalucka and cellist Margarita Balanas perform in a classical concert with live painting in Conway Hall (17 Oct).
If you’d rather stay out and about, you can join a Bobby on the Beat guided walk led by Chris Foster about a former local police officer (18 Oct). Likewise, you can see a mural and meet the street artist who created it – Mohammed Ali – at King’s Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association Youth Centre (24 Oct).
In addition to the above events, you can listen to storytellers performing Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen in Holy Cross Church (21 Oct).
Meanwhile, Russell & Chapple is hosting Blue, Green, Black and a Dappled Grey Horse (to 25 Oct). The exhibition explores how we talk about colour.
