Year-long festival set to celebrate creativity across Derbyshire

The 52 Weeks Festival will begin in May 2022 and organisers are hard at work seeking contributions from groups from across the county.

Programme director Sharon Brown explained that the festival would be a collaboration between arts, heritage and cultural organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors.

She said: “The vision is that a year of celebrations will encourage communities to create and take part in new artistic activity which, with the backing of the project, will continue beyond 2023 and for many years to come.

“52 Weeks Festival will build on the strong foundations we already have here in Derbyshire.

“This is, after all, the festival county with over 100 festivals throughout the year, we also have some amazing historic buildings, museums, galleries, theatres and much more besides.

“The current crisis has taught us to enjoy the small pleasures and there has been a huge increase in interest in arts, music and performance online.

"We want to seize upon that desire for people to express themselves."

Patron Pauline Latham, MP for Mid-Derbyshire, who is a keen supporter of the arts and has been a driving force behind the event, said: “The festival between 2022 and 2023 will provide endless opportunities for everyone to celebrate creativity and culture throughout Derbyshire.”

To get involved, contact www.facebook.com/52weeksfestival/ and complete the online survey or leave a message.