Massive blow as Brighton Festival cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis

This year’s Brighton Festival has been cancelled in a massive blow to Sussex arts.

The cancellation, amid the worsening coronavirus crisis, is the first time in the festival’s 53-year history it has been wiped off the calendar.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Festival, said: “Based on the latest government advice around social distancing measures and the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic in the UK is projected to coincide with the timing of the Festival in May, all planned events have been suspended.

“Brighton Festival was due to take place from May 2 to 24 2020 and is the largest annual, curated multi-arts festival in England. This is the first time since the Festival has been cancelled in its 53-year history.

“Over 120 cultural events were scheduled across the region, including 17 premieres, commissions, co-productions and many Festival debuts from international artists. The annual Children’s Parade has also been affected and will not go ahead.

“Festival staff are working with artists and partners to discuss whether some events can happen at a later date or in a different way. Due to the scale of the Festival and the inclusion of many international artists and touring companies, rescheduling the Festival as a whole would not be feasible.”

Andrew added: “The Festival team is devastated that this incredible programme, led by guest director Lemn Sissay, won’t happen this year and that audiences won’t experience the diversity of artists coming from across the world to our city. Lemn’s vision was to build an ‘Imagine Nation’ at Brighton Festival. It seems to us that we need imagination, creativity and the strength of our community now more than ever. We are exploring what might be the most creative contribution the Festival and its artists can make at this time and we will share more on this when we can.

“We are aware that the whole of society is being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic but also realise the profound affect it will have on the cultural sector and on the economy of our city, to which the Festival is such an important contributor. It is vital we work together to support our staff, artists and partners and that Brighton & Hove’s rich cultural life can survive and emerge from this challenge, so we all continue our contribution to the life and wealth of the whole region.”

Brighton Festival 2020 guest director, t