SALISBURY International Arts Festival is returning after two-year hiatus with organisers promising it will be "bigger than ever".

Now in its 47th year, the event will run from May 27 to June 18, bringing a "daring, diverse, and highly entertaining feast of music, theatre, film, dance, spoken word, visual arts, family and free events" across multiple venues throughout the city.

Festival producer Lucy Babb said: “After a two-year hiatus [due to Covid] we can’t wait to bring together communities to share in the wonder of the arts once again.

"2022 will see the return of the Salisbury International Arts Festival back to the venues, churches, countryside and streets of Wiltshire.”

This year’s festival takes islands as its inspiration, drawing not only from our only experiences and attitudes as island dwellers, but inspired by the drama, opportunity and danger of islands, and the wide variety of emotions they evoke, delving into the mysterious allure of remote locations.

World premiere

The festival opens with the world première of Stone Songs composed by, and under the musical direction, of Howard Moody, which includes the return of the Festival Chorus comprised of local residents, joining La Folia musicians in a celebration of the illustrious history of Salisbury Cathedral.

Jubilee weekend

Over the Jubilee weekend, the city will come alive with original street theatre, dance and spectacle that will delight all ages. The free event is set to fill the city streets with life, colour and culture in every corner bringing the community together in celebration.

Family events

Events for families and young people feature throughout the line up with Bemerton Beach Party (May 28), Tidworth Family Fiesta (May) and Treasure Hunt (June 12); as well as a half term crammed with special events.

As part of the offering for young people, SHIFT newly appointed Associate Artists for 2022 Roisin McCay-Hines and Edward Scott have specially curated elements of the Festival including SHIFT: Live on 10 June, and Kitchen Island Conversations on 11 June. SHIFT is a commitment from Wiltshire Creative - a commitment to engage, to listen and to respond to the voices of young people in our region.

Other highlights

Other highlights include Complicite’s critically acclaimed Can I Live? filmed performance written and performed by Fehinti Balogun tackling the urgent questions around the climate crisis (June 11); throughout the festival there is a recording of Simon Butteriss reading Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis in its entirety in daily episodes – Wilde’s astonishing book-length love letter to the young man who had destroyed his life; and dance from Hofesh Shechter Company’s Contemporary Dance 2.0 (June 9).

How to find out more

Tickets for the festival go on sale to the public on Tuesday, March 15.

Visit: wiltshirecreative.co.uk

 

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