Beth Doherty
Wiltshire Creative announced on Friday (24th September) that Salisbury International Arts Festival will return next year with a full programme for the first time in two years.
From 27th May – 19th June, the festival will feature a diverse programme of music, theatre, film, dance, spoken word, visual arts, family and free events, created by Wiltshire Creative’s Artistic Director Gareth Machin, Associate Artist violinist Harriet Mackenzie, and Festival Producer Lucy Babb, alongside a team of associate curators.
Running for an extended period of 3 weeks, the 2022 Salisbury International Arts Festival will be inspired by the drama, opportunity and danger of islands, and the wide variety of emotions they evoke, delving into the mysterious allure of remote locations. The programme will feature a spectacular line-up of events spanning multiple genres, including circus arts, music, comedy, dance, and a variety of free family events across the May half term.
Salisbury International Arts Festival full programme will be announced on 1st March 2022.
Lucy Babb, Festival Producer, commented, “After a two-year hiatus we can’t wait to bring together communities to share in the wonder of the arts once again. 2022 will see the return of the Salisbury International Arts Festival back to the venues, churches, countryside and streets of Wiltshire.”
Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative, said, “I am delighted to be bringing Salisbury International Arts Festival back to Wiltshire with a spectacular programme of events in 2022. Fascination, fear and love of islands has long fired our collective imagination. After 300 years we are still reading Robinson Crusoe and, after 75 years and over 2,000 episodes, Desert Island Discs is still going strong. However, our interest in islands runs much deeper than their dramatic potential. In our highly connected world, we are increasingly craving the isolation and tranquillity that islands can offer. Even with modern amenities, islands consistently draw us in as holiday locations and meccas of fun and leisure”.
With the full programme to be announced in due course, events already confirmed for the programme include:
- Contributions from Wiltshire Creative’s SHIFT programme for young creatives, with opportunities for young people to get involved announced in due course.
- The world première of Stone Songs composed by Howard Moody and featuring the Festival Chorus and La Folia musicians, in a performance inspired by the Medieval chants that have resonated from the Cathedral’s stones since the 13th century.
- A one-off Jubilee Concert and additional performances in celebration of the upcoming Platinum Jubilee.
- The return of the vibrant City Encounters events, offering free pop-up events around Salisbury.
Tickets to Salisbury International Arts Festival will go on sale in Spring 2022 here.
Photography by ©The Other Richard
Andy Munns
