Festival of the Earth kicks off in Wakefield

Wakefield Council is delighted to host Festival of the Earth, a series of activities and events taking place from July to October 2021 across the Wakefield district.
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Published 2nd Aug 2021, 15:08 BST
Free workshops for all ages – and so much more!Free workshops for all ages – and so much more!
Free workshops for all ages – and so much more!

The aim of the festival is to encourage local communities to work with the council to make positive environmental changes to their daily lives and help tackle climate change – while having loads of fun.

In 2019, Wakefield Council declared a climate emergency and created an action plan to help the council become a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030.

This summer, residents will be encouraged to take part in the Festival of the Earth by visiting an exhibition, taking part in an activity, or researching other ways to make a difference.

Experience the dramatic Fire & IceExperience the dramatic Fire & Ice
Experience the dramatic Fire & Ice

Many Wakefield communities are taking centre stage during the summer festival.

Local artist Tony Wade’s Butterfly Effect project explores and celebrates the positive steps everyone can take to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact. Workshop participants were asked to share one small change they would make, and these words were transferred onto 1,800 paper butterflies, attached to transparent hoops and suspended from library ceilings.

The libraries involved are Airedale Library, Horbury Library, Normanton Library, Pontefract Library and South Elmsall Library, and the installations are available to view until mid-September.

A trio of spectacular events and visitor experiences are set to light up the imaginations of children and adults in Wakefield this summer as part of the festival celebrations.

There are events to suit everyone at the festivalThere are events to suit everyone at the festival
There are events to suit everyone at the festival

Gaia, Fire & Ice and the Science Lab will provide fantastic opportunities for people of all ages to learn and consider actions individuals can take against climate change.

Taking centre stage, Gaia at Wakefield Cathedral features a stunning 7m-high replica of the earth by artist Luke Jerram, featuring detailed NASA imagery (from an astronaut's perspective) that will enable visitors to see our planet floating in three dimensions.

Each centimetre represents 18 kilometres of the planet’s surface and will be accompanied by a specially made surround-sound musical composition by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones.

Festival visitors can also look forward to an inspiring newly commissioned work called Fire & Ice, a dramatic sound and light installation designed by Ithaca within WX (the former Market Hall on Union Street) that gives people the chance to experience the immense changes now happening to the earth’s climate and the impact our actions are now having on the planet.

Alongside Fire & Ice, there is an opportunity for budding scientists to enjoy a series of free bookable science and recycling workshops within the Science Lab. These one-hour workshops will highlight environmental issues and the impact of climate change, engaging the next generation of scientists.

Festival of the Earth features exhibitions, installations, workshops, performances and an eco-themed speciality market, with activities taking place across the district.

Residents are encouraged to look for and share their own experiences during the festival using #EarthFestWFD on social media – follow on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

For more information on the festival, visit expwake.co/EarthFestWFD

Related topics:EarthWakefieldResidents