‘Festival Of Brexit’ Planners Speak Out

They want to bring “joy, hope and happiness...”

The team behind a proposed post-Brexit festival of British culture have spoken out about the idea.

The project was first proposed by Theresa May, intended as a nationwide celebration of British life following the completion of Brexit.

Incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson then picked up the idea, with the so-called 'Festival Of Brexit' getting the go-ahead.

Martin Green has been named Director of Festival 2022, following work on the Olympic ceremonies and Hull's year as UK City Of Culture.

Speaking to the Guardian, he expanded on the ideas behind the festival:

“There is obviously a big narrative going on around healing and coming together… There is no doubt that money has been made available because this country is exiting the European Union, there is no getting away from that.”

“There is also no doubt that we have been through a particularly divisive time in the discourse of our daily lives, and as we go forward, let’s see how the great creativity and ingenuity of the UK can help refind that common ground.”

He added:

“On a very basic level, we are probably due a bit of joy and hope and happiness, and art is really good at that.”

Defusing the Brexit link, Martin Green explained: “It is absolutely expected that there is a degree of cynicism at the start of every major project … I’m lucky in that I’ve got form in this.”

Let's wait and see.

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