Christopher Eccleston joins LIFI23 line-up

Leeds International Festival of Ideas is thrilled to reveal Christopher Eccleston as the Saturday headliner for this year’s eagerly awaited event. Adding to the already captivating lineup of thought-provoking speakers, the festival is also delighted to announce an array of incredible hosts, including Naga Munchetty, Sarah Powell, Divina De Campo, Lotty Leeming, Anisa Morridadi, and Lisa Holdsworth. This impressive lineup upgrade promises an unforgettable experience, ensuring that attendees will be treated to an unparalleled fusion of intellect, creativity, and inspiration.

Renowned actor Christopher Eccleston will grace the festival’s stage, captivating audiences with his insightful perspectives and engaging presence. Eccleston’s remarkable career and thought-provoking contributions make him the perfect addition to the festival’s lineup, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees.

His chat entitled Arts and Culture – For the many; or the few? will see him share his story as a working class actor and the need to keep voices such as his, alive across the arts and cultural scene, and why this is fundamental to society at large.

As part of the festival’s commitment to presenting a diverse range of stimulating discussions and debates, esteemed hosts have been announced for several captivating events. Naga Munchetty, a celebrated broadcaster known for her incisive interviews, will bring her expertise to “Other Side of the Coin.” Munchetty will engage in a compelling conversation with esteemed guests Sir Jon Cunliffe and Tom Duff Gordon, delving into intriguing aspects on the future of currency.

Another highly anticipated event, “Invisible Rule of Law,” with Rob Rinder will be hosted by the talented BBC Journalist Lotty Leeming, hoping to shed light on the often unseen influence of the rule of law. Their perspectives and experiences promise to challenge conventional notions and ignite meaningful conversations.

Speaker and podcaster Sarah Powell is set to host the journey to mindfulness with Ruby Wax OBE. As the founder of Celebrate Yourself, a brand encouraging people to celebrate who they are, Sarah has developed a wellbeing and self-help system of self-celebration through her social media following and creating a close-knit community membership called The Parlour.

Anisa Morridadi, known for her exceptional interviewing skills, will host the already sold out talk featuring the distinguished Steven Bartlett. Morridadi’s insightful questions will uncover the intriguing aspects of Barlett’s expertise, providing festival attendees with valuable insights to the discussion, to inspire and educate individuals on how to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of business.

The festival is also thrilled to welcome Divina De Campo as the host of a captivating chat with the charismatic Bimini. De Campo’s charm and charisma will create an engaging environment for an enlightening conversation that explores various dimensions of creativity and self-expression.

Furthermore, the festival proudly presents Lisa Holdsworth, a prominent figure in the TV & film industry, as the host for the cultural chat with Christopher Eccleston. Holdsworth’s expertise and passion for culture will foster an enriching dialogue, allowing attendees to explore the interplay between art, society, and personal experiences.

Other announcements being made include Banjo Beale replacing Jay Blades MBE on Could living The Good Life save the planet? On the same panel Doug McMaster will replace Tommy Banks.

In addition to the exciting lineup of talent, the Leeds International Festival of Ideas is pleased to announce its valued sponsors. Weightmans and Bruntwood, leading organisations committed to supporting innovation and creative dialogue, have joined forces with the festival, underscoring their dedication to fostering intellectual curiosity and transformative ideas.

The festival is also delighted to announce a partnership with North Brewing Co, a renowned local brewery. Together, they will collaborate on the creation of a special festival-inspired beer, offering attendees a unique sensory experience that complements the vibrant atmosphere of the event.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas continues to be a trailblazing platform, bringing together brilliant minds, inspiring discussions, and captivating performances. With Christopher Eccleston headlining Saturday’s events and an exceptional lineup of hosts and guests, this year’s festival promises to be an unmissable experience for all attendees.

Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas: “We are over the moon to have someone like Christoper Eccleston headline this year’s festival. We think it will be a very telling event based around class and socio-economic background as barriers to culture. We have also just announced Naga Munchetty to lead the chat on digital currency with two already heavyweight contributors on the subject. Throwing in some real journalistic hosts and people at the top of their game, this year’s festival is going to be really special.

The festival run by LeedsBID also features incredible support from Weightmans and Bruntwood.”

John Gyngell, Founder of North Brewing Co said “North Brewing believes in the power of collaboration and community, and that’s why we were drawn to working with Leeds International Festival of Ideas.

The Festival provides a platform for people to share their ideas and insights, exploring new ideas and perspectives, something we do at North on a daily basis. Together we aim to celebrate and showcase the unique beauty of Leeds, fostering a sense of pride and unity among our fellow residents while fuelling creativity and inspiration for generations to come.”

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the conversation. Join the Leeds International Festival of Ideas from September 27th to 30th at Leeds Playhouse.

Tickets for Christopher Eccleston go on sale June 8 at 16:00, with other events on sale – www.leedsintfest.com

Names of those appearing at LIFI23: 

Matt Baker MBE, Steven Bartlett, Banjo Beale, Bimini, Tom Brake, Flavia Cacace-Mistry, Sir Jon Cunliffe, Divina De Campo, Tom Duff Gordon, Christopher Eccleston, Dr Christine Ekechi, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Cherry Healey, Lisa Holdsworth, Dr Jamilla Hussain, Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin, Kenny Ethan Jones, Lotty Leeming, Dame Prue Leith, Clare Lewis, Silvan Luley, Magid Magid, Lauren Mahon, Davina McCall, Richard McCann, Douglas McMaster, Anisa Morridadi, Naga Munchetty, Sarah Powell, Rob Rinder, Amber Rudd, Dr Coltan Scrivner, Louise Shorter, Lucy Turner, Ruby Wax OBE, Scarlett Westbrook, Gemma Whelan, Mark Williams-Thomas and Will Young.