Why LIFI 2023’s stellar line-up is heading to Leeds to put the world to rights
Leeds International Festival Of Ideas is back with actors, artists, thinkers, experts and writers set to tackle some of society's hottest thought-provoking topics and biggest issues.
BUY TICKETS: For LIFI 2023 tickets and more details visit leedsinternationalfestival.com
From our obsession with true crime to what's next for women's health, the unique four-day festival - September 27 to 30 - will see Leeds Playhouse host 11 events at featuring 39 guest speakers including household names Christopher Eccleston, Stephen Bartlett, Ruby Wax, Dame Prue Leith, Will Young, Matt Baker, Bimini, Rob Rinder, Gemma Whelan, Sir Jon Cunliffe and more.
But why?
Festival Director Martin Dickson today gives his answer in a special preview to explain how LIFI helps puts Leeds culturally and economically on the map.
He says how it puts the city in the spotlight in front of very senior and influential audiences as well as boosting footfall - another key role for him as Direct of Brand & Innovation for LeedsBID, the business improvement district, which runs the festival with support from key partners and sponsors, including Weightmans and Bruntwood.
Martin, writing for us in an exclusive preview, says: "Bringing such a stellar array of incredible people into the city centre over four days attracts not only an audience of around 4,500 people to the events, but also delivers huge attention on Leeds through the media and associated ‘noise’ that all 39 speakers will make across their own personal and professional worlds.
"Putting Leeds on the map to some very senior and influential audiences across the UK and beyond and showcasing ‘brand Leeds’ in the most exciting and innovative way.
"LeedsBID is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, working collaboratively across all sectors in the city to put Leeds on the map.
"The BID makes new things happen in Leeds city centre for the benefit for all who use it, enhancing and animating places and spaces to bring more people to Leeds and all the associated benefits that brings both culturally and economically.
"It’s about shouting louder about the city, confidently and boldly projecting a bold, creative, exciting place to be and amplifying that to the world.
"LeedsBID strives to add deeper, richer, more inspiring chapters into the story Leeds has to tell and Leeds International Festival of Ideas is at the heart of that story.
"The technical term within our industry is ‘place marketing’ and that’s exactly what our mission at LeedsBID is about, with LIFI providing the ultimate place marketing festival of its type not only in Leeds but the UK.
"Now that’s confident and that’s bold and that’s why we’re seeing the success and growth for Leeds which is our primary objective.
"Along with that, sometimes you have to yell about how beautiful your city is with complete assurance, passion, and drive in whatever you do, and we think the festival significantly contributes to Leeds doing all that.
"The Leeds International Festival of Ideas brings together well known faces, eminent authors, artists, and subject matter specialists.
"Now in its third year, the festival has swiftly established a reputation for displaying some of the most fascinating and thought-provoking concepts from around the globe, drawing visitors from all over the UK and beyond.
"The festival addresses the most critical topics that affect and matter to all of us on a daily basis and that socially influence how people live, work, and adapt to a world that is becoming more and more difficult.
"It is a festival that tries to portray the everyday dialogues that take place in homes and workplaces all around the UK but aren't covered in the same detail by the news media or in the halls of power.
"The festival is for and about the people, and we want everyone who joins our dialogue to leave with new knowledge and inspiration.
"The event schedule includes keynote talks and panel debates that explore fresh viewpoints and ideas on a variety of subjects.
"Leading specialists from a variety of sectors, including science, technology, politics, culture, and the arts are brought together by LIFI. The festival exists to give people a stage on which to share their thoughts and observations and interact with a large audience.
"And so finally, I hope that provides a helpful answer to the question ‘why do we do it?’ and also that it provides something you’d like to be part of because the platform we have created as LIFI is all about conversation, connection and curiosity, and by bringing people together and talking about such important things is how change can really happen.
"So come and join the conversation from Sept 27 at the amazing Leeds Playhouse, tickets are available via the LIFI website www.leedsinternationalfestival.com though get a move on, because four events have already sold out and the other seven are not far away!"
The programme includes A New Generation Of Entrepreneurism, A World Beyond The Binary, My Journey To Mindfulness, Other Side Of The Coin, The Invisible Rule Of Law and Arts And Culture – For The Many Or The few?
Others are Could Living The Good Life Save The Planet?, Who Does Our Political System Benefit?, How Do We Talk About Grief?, When Will Women's Health Be Taken Seriously? and What's Our Obsession With True Crime?
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