By Reena Kumar
IT MAY not feel like it but the Great British summer is just around the corner which means only one thing for any
music lover – descending onto a muddy field for fun and festival frolics.
Now in its ninth year, Latitude Festival promises to open up to new audiences with an array of global artists
showcasing a wealth of talents across 10 arts arenas and stages.
“Be prepared to find the unexpected,” Tania Harrison, the event’s creative director told Eastern Eye, adding that
Latitude was about “so much more than just the music”.
Damon Albarn, Two Door Cinema Club and The Black Keys are set to headline the festival this year which takes place
in the grounds of Henham Park in Suffolk.
Audiences will get the chance to watch acclaimed choreographer and Kathak dancer Sonia Sabri presenting an extract
of her work Ekalya, which explores the classical roots of the art form.
Harrison explained: “A festival is the coming together of ideas. It’s a really good environment to open up ideas,
particularly when people have certain views.
“Latitude is quite special, it comprehensively presents programmes from each and every genre across the arts. It’s
very important to keep opening it up, we like new audiences.
“Dance might not be the first genre of why they (festival goers) would go to the festival, but they are always
completely transfixed. They always stop to watch the dance performances, it’s great to be able to push
those boundaries.”
She added: “One of the key things I do at a festival is break down the labels or prejudices people may hold. Sonia
Sabri is going to be beautiful.
“We get lots of older people and completely different demographics trying the festival out because it’s easy. You
can try it out for one day and then leave if you don’t like camping.”
Ballet Revolucion, a dance troupe from Cuba, will unleash a host of talented classical and contemporary dancers
performing to the infectious rhythms of Latin America.
Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, which campaigns to protect human rights and freedoms, will discuss the
issue of freedom of information with this year’s theme focusing on secrets and lies.
Chakrabarti said: “Secrets and Lies couldn’t be a better theme in a year when so many abuses of state power have
been revealed. The authorities seem to want no privacy for us and no scrutiny for them –a recipe fatal to democracy,
rights and freedoms.”
Singer songwriter Luke Sital Singh and poets Zia Ahmed and Nikesh Shukla will also take to the stage.
Latitude takes place from July 17 to 20. See www.latitudefestival.com for more information.
