Greenbelt Festival

Image: Greenbelt Festival

The Greenbelt Festival is nearly here. The weekend of music, comedy, craft, theatre, dance, food, spirituality, talks, provocation and more takes place from Thursday 22 - Sun 25 August 2024 at Boughton House, near Kettering.

Christian Aid has been a partner in the event for 31 years and this year is unveiling a new venue - the No Fly Zone. With a packed programme of speakers, films, information and the chance to meet Christian Aid staff and volunteers, this is the place to visit to find out more about global justice.

Pete Moorey, Head of Community and Church Fundraising and Engagement, explained: "We're really excited to launch this amazing space at Greenbelt and provide festivalgoers with the opportunity to hear from activists, partners and communities. Each day will focus on different aspects of our work on racial justice, economic justice and climate justice.

"Thanks to a live digital link-up as well as pre-recorded films and content, we'll be able to bring speakers from outside the UK to the festival to connect with supporters and offer a variety of perspectives, particularly through a faith lens."

The programme includes keynote speaker, Catholic Father Richard Rohr, an American Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher, who will be speaking about spirituality and Christian mysticism; a showing of The Tinderbox - a documentary from Gillian Moseley about Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory; Daoud Nasser from the Tent of Nations near Bethlehem. Anglican Father Azariah France-Williams will be chatting to some of the poets, singers, comedians and other contributors at Greenbelt.

There will be daily prayers with The Iona Community - an ecumenical Christian movement working for justice and peace, the rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship; panel sessions; and films. On Sunday Fr Martin Poulsom SDB will celebrate a Catholic Mass with music and liturgy led by members of pilgrimcross.org.uk .

Music will include: Ooberfuse, Bailla La Cumbia, Akram Abdulfattah, Boom Boom Racoon and many more.

For more information and to see the whole programme visit: www.greenbelt.org.uk/

If you're unable to come in person, join the festival in the field of streams instead. Register HERE to join us for free livestreams during the festival weekend.

ICN will be reporting from Greenbelt all weekend - watch this space!

Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, Colette Joyce, will also be in attendance at the festival.