ITS not actually called the Festival of Brexit of course. The working title for next years extravaganza is, in fact, Festival UK* 2022. But when the first news of what might be on offer under its auspices emerged earlier this week every newspaper used the label Festival of Brexit somewhere in their reports. Usually in the headline.
Thats the baggage this particular festival will have to carry one of suspicion and division until it finally emerges blinking into the light.
The original idea for a festival was first announced by Theresa May when she was Prime Minister and was then backed by Boris Johnson. In the circumstances you can understand why any suspicion might be baked in.
May wanted the event to strengthen our precious union, something, you might argue, she had done her best to undermine thanks to her pursuit of Brexit. As a result, there are many who are not naturally inclined to embrace the festival.
The danger is Festival UK* 2022 will always be seen as too Brexity by angry Remainers and not Brexity enough by those who quite like the idea of a festival thats all flags, The Fizz (Bucks Fizz, as was) and Jim Davidson.
There are reasons to be hopeful for it, though. The chief creative officer is Martin Green who is widely seen to have done a fine job as head of Hulls City of Culture Year in 2017. He was also Head of Ceremonies for the London Olympics in 2012. All the devolved governments have bought into the project and plenty of notable arts organisations including the National Theatre of Scotland, Celtic Connections and Edinburgh International Festival have got involved.
Read More: My distaste for this Prime Minister is visceral
And given everything that has happened over the last 12 months any money for culture is to be welcomed. The arts have been decimated over the last year because of the pandemic, so 120 million is not to be sniffed at, wherever its coming from.
Plus, frankly, the UK government owes the creative industries. After all, it has done its best to undermine them via its inept Brexit deal one that has thrown up serious challenges for musicians and the fashion industry in particular.
As an aside, you do wish they offered help with a little more grace, right enough. Instead, this is a government that too often sees culture as something to be weaponised. When the Culture Recovery Fund was announced last year, reports emerged that organisations who benefited from it had to announce their gratitude to the government via social media.
Whether what emerges next year will enthral us remains to be seen. I find it difficult to get too excited at previews that flag up a celebration of the British weather or Glasgow-based Aproxima Arts promising the largest grow-your-own food project of modern time. But it may be wonderful. Time will tell.
That said, its difficult to see how it can ever quite be the unifying celebration thats desired. As a country we are divided more than ever. The idea that a festival will offer an effective sticking plaster to cover the gaping wound seems more than a bit hopeful.
So, in the end, you do have to ask whats it actually for? In a year that will not be short of festivals there will also be the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and a Platinum Jubilee to be getting on with too how can it stand out?
The people behind it would no doubt say by producing good work. Heres hoping.
Link:
Teddy Jamieson: Do we really need a 'Festival of Brexit'? - HeraldScotland
- Government should stop grandstanding over Brexit | London Business News - London Loves Business [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Coronavirus lockdown: Brexit talks could be eased with informal Zoom drinks over video conference - inews [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Brexit: EU Trade Talks Could Collapse in June over Fishing, Regulations - Breitbart [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- How Kronborg Castle helped to inspire Shakespeare | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Extending the Brexit transition period - Third Force News [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Boris Johnson's perversity on the Brexit cliff edge reminds me of the Free State's rejection of all things British - Slugger O'Toole [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Who is on the BBC's Question Time tonight? | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Crunching the numbers, could Brexit really lead to a United Ireland? - Galway Daily [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Theres something common in reactions to Ranbir Kapoors jeans, Brexit and Khan Market gang - ThePrint [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Priti Patel allies to 'demand apology' over bullying allegations | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Post-Brexit carte system 'will be easy', France says - The Connexion [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Brexit does not belong to one party, and Labour must play its part - LabourList [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- EU free trade deal with Mexico (started at same time as Brexit) is AGREED - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- DAVID EDGERTON: Where Brexit and Covid-19 collide | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Boris Johnson must extend Brexit talks for another YEAR, major Tory Party donor demands - Express [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Campaigners file case that argues EU citizenship is permanent regardless of Brexit | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Gove Complains EU Not Respecting Sovereignty in Brexit Talks - Bloomberg [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- SNP warn of 'chilling prospect' of no-deal Brexit as UK Gov won't extend talks - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- UK seeks access to EU health cooperation in light of coronavirus - The Guardian [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Boris gives green light for Brexit Britain to start formal US trade talks NEXT WEEK - Express [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- UK will need to extend Brexit transition, Merkel ally warns Britain - The Guardian [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Tory MP David Davis urges government capitalise on coronavirus outbreak to seal a Brexit deal | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Coronavirus: We are all paying the price for the Tory government's preoccupation with Brexit | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Brexit trade deal WILL be struck this year say UK negotiators - but only after EU tantrum - Express [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Row over EU office in Belfast threatens to derail Brexit talks - The Guardian [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- British lawyer sues EU over her removal from its court due to Brexit - The Guardian [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2020]
- Arlene Foster: Talk of extension to Brexit transition period a 'distraction' - The Irish News [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- The week ahead: Brexit talks to continue, US and China retail sales eyed - FXStreet [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- 2 reasons why Brexit could soon be the biggest factor influencing the FTSE 100 index - Motley Fool UK [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- McCann FitzGerald and William Fry cut pay as Covid-19 reverses Brexit optimism in Ireland - The Global Legal Post [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Local fishermen against Brexit transition period extension - Shetland News [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Europe Day reminds us that unity is strength | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Robert Jenrick struggles to explain new coronavirus messaging from government | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- GBPUSD steady above 1.2400 as new Brexit talks resume - InvestingCube [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Pro-Brexit Tory MP tries to overturn result of two referendums - The New European [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Britain's fisheries on the table today as Brexit deal talks resume - EU Today [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Brexit fishing outrage: How UK could have followed Norway's path and protected its waters - Express [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Letter: It's time for politicians to respect the Brexit referendum - East London and West Essex Guardian Series [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Brexit ultimatum: MEPs demand access to crunch Brexit conference as VDL issued warning - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Keir Starmer refuses to back Brexit transition extension - The Independent [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Foster: Talk of extension to Brexit transition period a distraction - Belfast Telegraph [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- The Brextremists plot their revenge on the House of Lords | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Brexit shambles: How desperate Remainers tried to claim William Shakespeare in EU debate - Express [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Has Brexit affected the way Britons think about immigrants? The recent 'national mood' on immigration - British Politics and Policy at LSE [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Ireland says Brexit trade talks timeline 'virtually impossible' - Reuters [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- Brexit talks back on between EU and UK ahead of June summit - Euronews [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2020]
- TCW's Brexit Watch: Our Hong Kong connection strikes fear into EU - The Conservative Woman [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Ian McConnell: Will anything, anything at all make Johnson and Co. stop Brexit folly in its tracks in time as Scottish pleas ignored? - HeraldScotland [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Evening top 5: Accelerated COVID-19 re-opening; summer schools; and 'no progress' on Brexit - Newstalk [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Inside the final act of the Brexit drama - Spectator.co.uk [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Letter to the editor: No-deal Brexit would make recession worse - Bournemouth Echo [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- MSP: Firms in East Dunbartonshire cant prepare for Brexit on top of a pandemic - Kirkintilloch Herald [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Our response to pandemic can help to heal Brexit wounds Archbishop of York - Yorkshire Post [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Irish fears for Brexit talks if Hogan gets top WTO job - The Irish Times [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Brexit backlash: Guy Verhofstadt savaged after yet another attack on Boris Johnson - Express [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Crucial week ahead in Brexit negotiations, says Ahern - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Key election battlegrounds face double hit from Brexit and coronavirus - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Jacob Rees-Mogg conjures Thatcher while dismissing calls for a Brexit extension - The New European [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- The Economic Case Against Extending the Brexit Transition - briefingsforbrexit.com [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Northern Ireland faces 'potent threat' from Brexit and Covid-19 - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- The Brexit crisis led to totally incompetent leadership at a time of unprecedented calamity. Now we are paying for it - The Independent [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Stormont backs calling for extension to Brexit transition period - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- UK seeks to boost post-Brexit ties with Asean partnership - Bangkok Post [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Claim that extending the Brexit transition period could cost 380 billion is not credible - Full Fact [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- The pandemic is being used as cover for a no-deal Brexit - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- The EU is beginning to believe the UK actually wants the Brexit trade deal talks to fail - Business Insider - Business Insider [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- How the Coronavirus Makes a No-Deal Brexit More Likely - The New York Times [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2020]
- Bracknell readers send in their letters this week - Bracknell News [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- 'Crofters must not take their eye off Brexit' - Press and Journal [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- GBP/USD: Horrible UK GDP and Brexit hassles pounds the pound - FXStreet [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- 'Petrified' EU facing crisis as Brexit success threatens to spell END of bloc, Tice warns - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Arsene Wenger warns Brexit restrictions could kill Premier League and its global appeal - Mirror Online [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Scottish research facing twin threats of COVID and Brexit - gov.scot - Scottish Government News [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Germany and France must do THIS for EU survival or other nations will follow Brexit - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- No-deal Brexit would be 'major block' to UK's recovery, warns CBI - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- WATCH: Tory Brexiteer baffles news viewers by claiming EU will 'blink again' over government's Brexit position - The New European [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Majority of Britons back Brexit extension to help beat coronavirus - The Independent [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Brexit: No light ahead of the tunnel - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- First Minister links with Welsh counterpart to lobby Boris Johnson for Brexit extension - Northern Times [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]
- Brexit talks latest: Government and Tory Party are facing a big split over cheap US food imports - iNews [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2020]