Sun 13 Apr 25
Sun 13 Apr 25
Blakefest
BlakeFest is a festival celebrating the life and work of the English poet and artist William Blake. It aims to enrich the West Sussex community, encourage creativity, and provide entertainment through exhibitions, performances, and talks.
The festival incorporates original music, poetry, and visual arts, while also exploring themes of imagination and social justice, reflecting Blake's
Rachel Searle
rachelmsearle@icloud.com
The festival incorporates original music, poetry, and visual arts, while also exploring themes of imagination and social justice, reflecting Blake's own visionary and radical spirit.
Elaboration:
Focus on Blake:
BlakeFest is specifically dedicated to William Blake, a prominent figure in English Romanticism known for his poetry, prints, and visionary art.
Community Engagement:
The festival seeks to engage with the West Sussex community, showcasing Blake's connection to the area, particularly his time living in Felpham.
Creative Expression:
BlakeFest embraces a variety of artistic mediums, including music, poetry, and visual art, reflecting Blake's own eclectic approach to creative expression.
Thematic Exploration:
The festival delves into themes that were central to Blake's work, such as imagination, social justice, and the human condition.
Cultural Significance:
By celebrating Blake's legacy, BlakeFest contributes to the cultural landscape of West Sussex and beyond, fostering an appreciation for his enduring impact.
BlakeFest, part of the Big Blake Project, has its roots in Blake’s vision of Beulah, perhaps best understood as a window on earth into heaven itself: In Felpham, Blake penned “Heaven opens here on all sides her golden gates” and the words to Jerusalem.
In the “spirit of Blake’s poetic genius”, BlakeFest is a synthesis of original music, poetry and audio-visual art and includes talks on issues of ‘the imagination’ and social justice. Our over-riding aim for BlakeFest is to be an agent of regeneration in Bognor Regis through the exploration and celebration of William Blake.