Oxford’s Marmalade Festival is well underway as over 100 hosts campaign for social change by holding 90 free sessions across 12 locations in Oxford, for the public, running until April 12. Check out the schedule here CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE HERE
Join them in learning, collaborating and presenting their work to help make the world a better place, as these global hosts and experts from across the world share, learn and collaborate with those who want to involve themselves in social change.
The Old Fire Station and Oxford Hub are hosting the inspirational festival and will cover topics such as climate change, moral courage, humanising refugees, the cities of tomorrow, girls empowerment, building communities, global philanthropy, investing with integrity, rebuilding education, global struggles and the way forward for health, to mention just a few.
Other venues taking part include The Museum Of Oxford, Museum of Natural History, Wesley Memorial Church, Fusion Arts, Activate Learning in Blackbird Leys, Worcester College, SBS – The Nest, and Common Ground.
Highlights this year include What’s Art Got To Do With Social Change? on Fri 12 April from 10.30am-1pm as senior leaders from the OFS, Barbican, Royal Exchange Manchester and Guildhall School of Music and Drama will ask questions and learn from the audience; who makes the decisions about what we do and how we do it?
Ashoka join us as a new host, with Climate Conversations Along the Thames on Thur 11 April, 10-12pm – a unique journey of exploring innovative environmental solutions while engaging in thought-provoking discussions.
In addition, this year, arts are back at the festival. The Marmalade Mural will inhabit the large back wall of the lower gallery at the Old Fire Station, created by the artist The Big Orange M, alongside a Marmalade exhibition in the upper gallery of the Old Fire Station.
Three groups are also presenting work there: Nor Greenlagh from Greenspace who work in partnership with the young women of NameIt Youth Project, Rana Ibrahim for Iraqi Women and War – a women’s community group helping women affected by conflict to process their experiences and tell their stories through art, and Woven Ink – an animation and creative studio using animation as a way to share stories and connect people.
Jeremy Spafford, Associate Director of the OFS, said, “Once a year, OFS becomes a massive melting pot of people from all over the planet sharing ideas about how to make the world a better place.
“And we love it. Amidst all the gloom and anxiety, Marmalade Festival is a moment to celebrate the impressive work that so many people do to encourage kindness, connection and fairness. Free to attend, Marmalade is the place to meet interesting people, learn and enjoy and, as a small arts centre, we feel privileged to be able to make it happen. Come!”
Last year, the festival welcomed over 2,000 attendees in 18 venues across Oxford. In the 78 sessions there were film screenings, panel discussions, movement workshops and much more. This year will see an increase in sessions and new hosts joining the Marmalade Festival roster. CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE HERE
The OFS works in partnership with the Skoll World Forum in what has become an incredible opportunity to drive change. Through these co-produced and collaborative sessions, OFS has confidence that connections will be made that will work towards improving the world we live in.
Marmalade Festival runs until April 12. Go to https://www.marmalade.io for more info and CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE HERE
