The Festival of Britain in 1951 was a crucial moment for post-war Britain, variously called “a tonic for the nation” and “a beacon for change” intended to bring inspiration to a country still licking its wounds. A celebration of culture and future-thinking, it was a series of events across the country, but in London found its expression on the South Bank, where a UFO-style sculpture called the Skylon was erected, alongside a new venue: The Royal Festival Hall.
Since then, the RFH has expanded into the Southbank Centre — which includes the Hayward Gallery and the Queen Elizabeth Hall — and the entire site is celebrating the 75th anniversary with a year of special programming which has its lightning rod moment this coming weekend with You Are Here. Overseen by Danny Boyle, it should be an event as legendary as his 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
