Freedom Festival 'focuses on societal issues'

The Freedom Festival offers a programme of ticketed and free street theatre, art and music

A major arts festival set up to mark Hull's links with anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce has begun.

The Freedom Festival, which was launched in 2007, offers a programme of ticketed and free street theatre, art and music at indoor and outdoor locations across the city.

Performances are also being staged in Bridlington, where the event was extended to last year for the first time.

The festival features more than 30 live performances, including a music stage for emerging local talent, and runs from Wednesday until Sunday.

'Accessible culture'

Notable shows include Eternity by C!rca at Hull Minster and Bob Marley for Babies at Hull Truck theatre, along with Pram People - which is billed as "a celebration of community".

Festivalgoers can also experience performances telling the story of organised drug and crime gangs, organisers said.

CODE, which has been described as physical theatre, parkour and bike stunts on an urban playground, is set to live rap and music and inspired by true case studies.

Pram People, which takes places in Trinity Square, promises an immersive and colourful spectacle, according to organisers

The festival also features a number of exhibitions, including Uncovering Modern Slavery, which takes place at the Wilberforce Institute.

It highlights how criminal exploitation is a growing form of modern slavery in the UK.

Jo Hawkes, interim chief executive of the Freedom Festival Arts Trust, said: “As ever, Freedom Festival will focus on issues that affect our society."

All outdoor events are free to attend to ensure "culture remains accessible to as many people as possible", she added.

For a full list of events click here.

The festival marks Hull's links with anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was born in 1759, the son of a Hull merchant. He was elected MP for Hull in 1780.

He later became the parliamentary spokesperson for the campaign to abolish the transatlantic slave trade.

Just weeks after Wilberforce died the Slavery Act was passed in 1833, abolishing slavery in the British colonies.

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