Inspired by people – their stories, their strength and their creativity –The Ripples of Hope Festival brought together conversations, workshops and performances, and explored the world as it is and as we can make it, by the actions we take every day. The programme was driven by conversations that took place at gatherings across Greater Manchester.
Maria worked under the inspiring leadership of Jude Kelly to draw together the voices of activists, performers, poets, organisers and artists. The hybrid festival took place in partnership with and at HOME in Manchester, with audiences also joining online from their homes. The themes explored Dignity & Justice, Equity & Equality, Arts & Culture, Activism & Participation, and Environment & the Planet.
The Weekend To Inspire – On Catch Up (ripplesofhopefestival.org)
Poetic Declaration
Percy Bysshe Shelley declared that “Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world”. The festival commissioned and unveiled a powerful new body of work called Poetic Declaration in which Simon Armitage convened 30 poets from around the world to create a unique poetic response to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, brilliantly produced by Caroline Kelly.
Feasts of Hope
Central to The Ripples of Hope Festival was the creation of spaces for people to come together in meaningful ways, to have breakthrough conversations; connect with one another and be inspired by artists, activists and stories. The concept of breaking bread and cultural expression of food is central to this: communities, particularly marginalised ones, strengthen their solidarity and understanding through the sharing of food. As the team listened in gatherings across Greater Manchester, supported by Community Engagement Manager Rachele Evaroa, a recurring theme in conversations was a desire to come together around food, out which Feasts of Hope were born.
Jude Kelly, Artistic Director, Ripples of Hope Festival, Founder and Director of The WOW Foundation
“Maria Bota is a culturally sensitive and savvy programmer and director of ideas. She’s hugely experienced and also gives colleagues at all levels respect, support and warmth.”