A festival celebrating the world we live in is set to bring music, dance, debate, film and cooking to Northumberland for the second consecutive year.
The What A Wonderful World Festival (WaWW) debuted in 2022 when entertainers and climate experts converged on Alnwick Playhouse and Alnwick Garden with the aim of putting a creative spin on securing a sustainable future. And this year, organisers have built on the success of the debut festival by assembling a "star-studded" cast of performers, artists, panellists and thought leaders from across the globe, all of whom share a passion for saving the planet.
Liz Anderson, co-director of WaWW, said: "This is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing world we live on and to learn how each and every one of us can do our bit to safeguard this planet. It’s our only possible living space and a place we need to protect.
"We want the people of the North East to hear from environmental experts and have their own voices heard as we seek solutions to the numerous challenges facing our planet. There’s an opportunity to celebrate everything that’s so precious about the world we live in through the arts, science and creativity."
One performer, who has been billed as a festival highlight, is seven-time BBC Radio Two Folk Awards winner Karine Polwart. The Scottish songwriter, composer, theatre-maker and author is renowned for her commitment to climate awareness.
Following the success of her song Enough is Enough, penned to coincide with COP26, Polwart and fellow Scot Dave Milligan will present Songs of Tree and River, Stone and Sea at Alnwick Playhouse on June 30.
Liz Anderson continued: "Karine’s inspiring and challenging songs are a profound reaction to the pressures that we are putting our life support systems under. She’s a fantastic addition to what is another wide and varied line up for our second festival."
Other events include Watershed - Journey of a River and Journey of an Activist will explore the challenging journeys ahead for a sustainable journey on July 1, with a two-part performance aiming to focus the ideas, energy and enthusiasm of young, local performers as they make sense of a damaged planet. On the same day, Imagining the Future takes place at the Bill Hugonin Auditorium, featuring Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah and others.
Alistair Anderson, co-director of WaWW, said: "We have brought together a diverse range of speakers bringing their unique perspectives on the future of our planet. This will be a fantastic opportunity for an informed debate at a time when key voices need to be heard if we’re going to safeguard our planet."
For more information on What A Wonderful World 2023, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, visit www.whataww.org.
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