Get ready for a whole borough celebration! We are ready to shake things up. We are ready for change. From venues to parks and street corners, we will tell the story of Lewisham’s trailblazers past and present via music, dance, debate, public art and more.
With a call to action on the climate emergency and a celebration of Lewisham’s diverse communities, the year-long programme is inspired by our borough’s rich history of activism and standing up for equality. Jointly led by Lewisham Council and the Albany, We Are Lewisham will bring together all of our neighbourhoods, communities and stories.
Our programme is created by and with the people of Lewisham. Find out what’s on and how you can get involved.
About London Borough of Culture
Introduced by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in 2017, the London Borough of Culture award is a competition that sees London’s 32 boroughs bid for more than £1m of funding to stage a programme of cultural events and initiatives.
The award brings Londoners together, putting culture at the heart of local communities and shining a light on the character and diversity of London’s boroughs.
What’s On?
In 2022, an ambitious, year-long programme of events will celebrate all of our neighbourhoods, our communities and our stories. With events in venues across the borough across all the arts there really is something for everyone.
Climate Emergency Events
There’s a host of activities all focused on the climate, and we’re inviting you to come along, become part of the conversation and be motivated to take action. Inspired by the history of social activism in Lewisham, we will host a programme of talks, discussions, debates and workshops throughout 2022 which will address local climate issues as well as the global climate crisis.
In a commitment to tackle the urgent environmental crisis in its London Borough of Culture programme, Lewisham has collaborated with local organisations including Trinity Laban and Lewisham Music.
The O5 FEST
Award-winning poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams brings his own brand of poetry and spoken word to Lewisham. Inua Ellams (Barbershop Chronicles, The Half-God of Rainfall) brings his inaugural 05Fest to the Albany as part of We Are Lewisham.
Creative Challenges
We Are Lewisham, and we are calling for action on the climate emergency. What can you do to help this February? For February’s Creative Challenge, we are inviting you to make a climate pledge. How could you reduce your carbon footprint this year? Maybe it’s walking to work? Or using a re-useable coffee cup?
To help you think about your pledge, there will be drop-in sessions at different locations throughout February. We invite you, your family and friends to come along and think about how you can make a difference.
During these family-friendly sessions, you’ll be invited to get creative and make a clay walrus, inspired by the much-loved stuffed walrus in the Horniman’s Natural History Gallery. Walruses are endangered animals, and making a small clay one can be a creative symbol of your climate pledge of how you plan to help. Das clay and environmentally conscious paints will be available.
Sessions are running every Saturday and Sunday in February, and throughout February Half Term. No need to book – just drop in!
JOIN A SESSION NEAR YOU
Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, London SE8 4RJ
Dates: Sunday 6, Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 February
Time: 11am – 5pm
Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ
Dates: Every Saturday & Sunday in February, plus Half Term (12-20 February), excl. Wed 16.
Time: 11am – 4pm
Lewisham Library, 199-201 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6LG
Dates: Saturday 5 February
Time: 11am – 5pm
We Are Lewisham Shop, (Unit 17, Lewisham Shopping Centre), Molesworth St, London SE13 7HB
Dates: February Half Term (12-20 February)
Time: 11am – 5pm
