Redbridge’s much-loved Festival of the Dead is set to return this autumn bigger than ever, after securing £55,000 from Arts Council England’s Project Grants programme.
The funding will support an ambitious programme of creative activity across Redbridge, with children and young people placed at the heart of the festival’s plans. This year’s festival will build on the success of previous years, bringing together arts, storytelling, music, lanterns, processions and community participation to explore remembrance, celebration, grief and memory in an open, inclusive and creative way.
Led by Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure’s Libraries Service, the Festival of the Dead has developed into a distinctive family-friendly cultural programme inspired by global traditions of remembrance and celebration. As part of Redbridge Libraries’ nationally recognised Death Positive Library initiative, the festival creates accessible opportunities for residents to take part in high-quality arts activity while supporting more open conversations about death, dying and grief.
This year’s programme will include creative workshops, storytelling, art installations, music, lantern-making, outdoor performance and large-scale parade activity. Young people will help shape and co-design parts of the festival through opportunities including a Children and Young People Steering Group, young creative ambassador roles, volunteering and micro-commissions supported by mentoring.
The festival will take place during the October half term, with activity planned across key Redbridge locations including Wanstead Library and Redbridge Central Library. The programme will culminate in vibrant public celebrations featuring lanterns, music, large-scale puppetry and community participation.
Anita Luby, Assistant Director of Arts, Culture & Libraries at Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, said:
“We are delighted to have secured this support from Arts Council England, which will allow Festival of the Dead to grow in ambition, reach and impact. The festival has always been about bringing people together through creativity, culture and shared reflection, and this year we are especially excited to place children and young people at the centre of the programme. Their ideas, energy and voices will help shape a festival that feels relevant, welcoming and rooted in Redbridge’s communities.”
Martin Solder, Chair of Trustees at Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, said:
“This is fantastic news for Redbridge and a real recognition of the quality, creativity and ambition behind Festival of the Dead. Vision is proud to deliver cultural programmes on behalf of Redbridge Council that bring communities together, support local creativity and create meaningful opportunities for residents to take part. This funding from Arts Council England will help us grow the festival even further, with children and young people playing a central role in shaping cultural life in the borough.”
Further details about the festival programme, dates, locations and booking information will be announced soon.
