LIFI22 – Top Picks

Leeds international festival of Ideas is almost upon us. Due to popular demand, extra tickets have been released for a selection of speakers and talks which run from 22 – 25 Sept.

The festival, brought to the city by LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), brings renowned names, experts in their field and some of the world’s most exciting thinkers to Leeds to share thoughts and ideas through a programme of inspiring keynote talks and thought-provoking panels.

We have selected our top picks from the festival that you won’t want to miss.

Mary Beard

Classicist and broadcaster Mary Beard looks at how we can best defend, and pay for, arts and culture from the ancient world to now.

Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge, Mary frequently participates in public debate on political and social issues. In addition to her many books, she writes an engaging blog A Don’s Life and has written and presented several documentaries including the BBC Two series, Meet the Romans, which focused on how ordinary people lived in Rome.

Following her recent chat with the team at LIFI, she said “I am really wanting to argue that the arts are essential not just an added extra!”

What Can You Laugh About?
Banter to some maybe, offensive to others perhaps, but where does the humour line actually sit in our current society? Join the debate with some of the UK’s brightest, funniest and most outspoken comedians as they take a journey through the social, moral and ethical rollercoaster ride that is contemporary comedy and its place in wider society today.

In a society where cancel culture is widespread and language censored, where exactly should we draw the line between comedic expression and just downright offensive?

Panel includes: Jamali Maddix (host), Ayishat Akanbi, Rosie Jones and Geoff Norcott.

Does Sport Have a Social Duty?

Athletes in modern times have often been moved to protest conditions, to demonstrate that they are citizens of conscience by speaking the truth. There is the expectation of sportspeople to have an opinion on social issues, but it seems that they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. The Marcus Rashford effect has raised questions about the role of sport within society.

Is giving back integral to the DNA of sport? Are sports personalities best placed in highlighting important social issues?

Panel includes: Charlie Webster (host), Gary Bennett MBE, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, Simon Jordan