Vision’s library service has secured nearly £30,000 of grant funding from Arts Council to support the delivery of its annual Day of the Dead inspired family arts festival.
The festival has been running for 5 years as part of the library service’s Death Positive Library project, where they are using creative activities and festivals to support communities to have important conversations about death, dying and loss.
This is the second year running that the festival has received funding from the competitive project grants fund administered by Arts Council England. This year the festival will be even bigger, taking place across two days and two locations – Wanstead and Ilford.
Taking inspiration from Day of the Dead festivals from around the world, the programme of carefully selected activities will encourage families to have gentle and sensitive conversations about death and loss, whilst celebrating the memory of loved ones who have died.
Key highlights of the 2 days include night-time lantern processions featuring spectacular giant puppets, flamboyant characters, music and dancing on Thursday 31 October in Christchurch Green in Wanstead and on Friday 1 November in Ilford High Street.
An array of arts exhibitions, crafts activities and performances will also be available at Wanstead Library and Redbridge Central Library for families to enjoy together.
Last year over 3000 people enjoyed the performances in Redbridge Central library and in Ilford High Street and it is anticipated that this year, even more people will enjoy the festivities over the half-term break.
Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder commented:
“We are very proud of our library service for securing this funding from the Arts Council. Over the last 7 years, the pioneering death positive work started by our library service has encouraged thousands of people to talk about this important subject. The award winning and innovative approach taken by our library service has helped to make conversations about death, dying and loss, easier to have. This funding allows us to continue engaging Redbridge’s diverse community in creative and meaningful dialogue about a subject that affects us all, whilst also getting to experience high quality arts spectacles in the borough.”
To find out more about, visit our dedicated Day of the Dead webpage.
About the Death Positive Library
Redbridge Library Service is the UK’s first Death Positive Library Service.
Death positivity is an emerging philosophy that reframes the way people view death and encourages people to speak openly about death, dying and grief.
Death positivity is about making the most of life, reducing the impact that our deaths have on the environment, and allowing those who are dying to do so with greater dignity and comfort.
Since 2017, Redbridge Library Service has been exploring creative ways to help people talk about death and grief by using books, films, arts, and tea and cake! We host regular events and have curated book collections on all aspects of death, dying and bereavement. Our service has led the way in creating a national framework and has inspired other libraries across the UK and Northern Ireland to become death positive.
