The 1900th anniversary of a historic landmark is to be celebrated with a year-long festival of events and activities.
Hadrian’s Wall 1900, which will take place next year, will mark the first phase of the building of Hadrian’s Wall.
A packed programme of events and activities will take place throughout the year, including exhibitions, lectures and film screenings.
There will be opportunities to take part in workshops, walks and creative projects; and experience the stunning landscape through creative installations and events.
The year-long festivities, being led by Hadrian’s Wall Partnership in collaboration with local people and organisations, will bring communities and visitors closer to the people that have lived and worked along the wall from pre-Roman times to the present day.
Individuals, groups, venues and organisations along the length of the UNESCO World Heritage Site are now being invited to plan their own celebration to be included in the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 programme.
Inclusion in the festival is open to anyone that wishes to explore and demonstrate what Hadrian’s Wall means to them.
Events and activity will then be promoted as part of the festival through a local and national marketing and PR campaign.
Thrilled to announce the festival
Jane, Lady Gibson, chair of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing our year-long festival to commemorate Hadrian arriving in northern Britain to oversee the construction of his Wall.
“2022 will be a year of anniversaries but no other festival will be celebrating 1900 years of continuous history of a place and its people.
2The communities living around the wall have one of the world’s most famous landmarks in their fields, villages, towns and cities and we want everyone to be involved in celebrating not just the history under their feet but the international importance of world heritage today.
“From Hadrian’s birthday on January 24 to Saturnalia on December 23, 2022, it will be the year of Northern Britain.”
Jane Meek, corporate director of economic development, Carlisle City Council and vice-chair of the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, said: “The people of Carlisle have been part of the Hadrian’s Wall story since the start, Carlisle itself growing from Roman foundations.
“The Hadrian’s Wall 1900th festival in 2022 is a chance for anyone here in Carlisle to celebrate what the wall means to them. For our businesses impacted by COVID-19, it’s an opportunity to welcome back visitors and residents with rich experiences, attract new audiences, and leverage the potential of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, to support and grow our communities.
“We at Carlisle have been part of a story 1900 years in the making, and will be part of the next 1900 years.”
Time for celebration
Stephen Higgs, councillor and portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure at Carlisle City Council added: “We are delighted to be part of the Hadrian’s Wall 1900th Festival, as it will be an opportunity for Carlisle residents to celebrate the foundations of our city and get involved in what those 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall mean to us.
“The wall provides a valuable cultural and economic asset to Carlisle, and the festival presents an opportunity to draw on the World Heritage Site to reinvigorate our businesses, attract new visitors and audiences, and for our communities to show their pride in what Carlisle has to offer.”
Anyone who would like to be involved is asked to submit their interest at: https://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/hadrianswall1900/getinvolved.
Ideas do not need to be fully formed at this stage. Organisers will need to meet the festival criteria and are responsible for the overall delivery of their events and activities including funding, audience management and health and safety, and additional marketing.
