Hosted at Metal Peterborough, a day of creative and collaborative exploration into radical, queer and alternative histories of the fens, led by new fen arts collective.

Fen Fest is organised by a collective group of creatives who are working together to understand the radical histories, traditions and cultures of the Fens.

All aged 16+ are welcome to attend. People are encouraged to stay the whole day, but if you’re only able to attend part of the morning or the afternoon, please let the collective know by contacting artist Martha Cattell marthacattell@gmail.com

The event is pay-as-you feel or free. All proceeds will go towards food and materials on the day and any future fen focused events.

Timetable for the day:  

• 10.00am – 10.45am: Introduction and Fen dialect word game
• 10.45am – 11.45am: Molly Dancing – Take part in Molly Dancing with drag folk dancer Alanna
• 11.50am – 1.15pm: Flag Making – Inspired by flags flown when Fens were drained, we’ll make new flags, celebrating the Fens and its ecological presents/futures
• 1.15am – 2.00pm: Provided lunch inspired by the Fens – Vegan and gluten free, starter: pea soup, main: stew, dessert: apple pie
• 2.15pm – 3.15pm: Fen Folk Songs – a chance to learn some local fen songs
• 3.15pm – 3.30pm: Break, reflections and thoughts
• 3.30pm – 5.00pm: Fen Time Stories Live and Fen Open Mic – Read a poem you’ve written, a song that reminds you of the Fens, a dance you know, a text that you’ve found about the Fens, show an object that you’ve found or made… it’s open to anything!

This event has been supported via our Reading Room. The Reading Room is a library and a place to think, listen and share ideas in Peterborough. It is stocked with over 200 thought-provoking books from Pluto Press, a radical publishing house, exploring politics, history and the environment.

The Reading Room also hosts events that open-up debate about the local issues affecting our everyday lives. The programme takes a lead from our community partners and so far, these topics have covered inequality, the environment, precarious employment, LGBTQ+ issues, structural racism and more.  You can find out more about The Reading Room and how to visit here.

To find out more about the event and to book a spot, click here.