19, May 2023
Culture Forager, Vol. 6
Here’s our latest list of cultural happenings with a Nature edge. From a free celebration of rivers to a festival in a forest, there are plenty of al fresco summer happenings to enjoy. Plus there’s a fascinating book to add to your to-be-read pile and a spectacular documentary to watch.
The Art Project
‘An artistic counterbalance to urban life’, artists Lee Baker & Catherine Borowski’s Graphic Rewilding project creates large-scale, show-stopping artworks in often-overlooked urban spaces, from Canary Wharf to skips. The juxtaposed, vibrant murals are a vivid reminder of the stunning patterns and colours that exist in Nature.
Various locations, UK. Visit graphicrewilding.com or head to Graphic Rewilding’s Instagram to see the works and find out more.
The Book
We’re sticking with the rewilding theme for our book pick: Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell’s The Book of Wilding . Tree & Burrell live on the site of their pioneering rewilding project on the Knepp Estate in Sussex. This practical handbook is a guide to rewilding spaces of every type and size, from window boxes to rivers.
Out now in hardback, audiobook and on Kindle.
The Festival
Festival season is about to kick off, and it’s worth remembering that not all festivals have to be of the purely musical kind. Take Timber Festival in the National Forest, for example. With the tagline ‘fall under Nature’s spell’, this family-friendly gathering offers top-notch talks, workshops, wellness, performances and more, all in stunning surroundings. And if you do want music, there’s plenty: from headliners the Go! Team, Lady Nade and N’famady Kouyaté, to name a few.
7-9th July 2023, Feanedock, the National Forest. Tickets here.
The Celebration
Bursting into our home city biennially, Manchester International Festival (affectionately known as MIF) is famous for its ground-breaking arts line-up. 2023’s edition is as impressive as always, and it launches with a free event from Pakistani artist Risham Syed. Each Tiny Drop is a South Asian-inspired celebration of community and the gift of water, happening on the banks of the River Medlock in the city centre’s newest outdoor space: Mayfield Park
29th June 2023, Mayfield Park, Manchester. Free but booking essential. More info and tickets here.
The Documentary
The largest cave in the world was discovered by a farmer in 1990. Hang Son Doong (“mountain river cave”) is in UNESCO world heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. In 2009, explorers descended and discovered rainforest, waterfalls, even a weather system inside. Locals are now divided over plans to build a cable car there: it would bring much-needed tourism to the area, but destroy the unique eco-system inside the cave. With breath-taking cinematography, the already award-winning A Crack in the Mountain explores the dilemma from both sides.
Visit acrackinthemountain.com. UK screenings from 25th May to 29th June, listings here.
