DEMOCRACY FROM WHERE I STAND: PRESENTED BY LIFT AND THE FINANCIAL TIMES

The London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), leading biennial festival in London for international performance, has returned with a vibrant line-up. Scheduled from June 5th to July 27th, this year’s festival features seven premieres that challenge our perspectives on the world. With events spread across iconic locations such as the Southbank Centre, the Old Bailey, and Brixton House, the festival promises to be a citywide cultural extravaganza.

On June 8th, LIFT and the Financial Times (FT) hosted a compelling evening titled “Democracy From Where I Stand” at The Dutch Church, supported by the City of London Corporation in collaboration with Destination City. This event, filled with powerful and thought-provoking performances, posed the question: what does democracy look like from where you stand?

Highlights of the evening:

1. Baque Luar’s live performance: The evening kicked off with a powerful performance by Baque Luar, a London-based collective of female and non-binary vocalists and percussionists. Their music, deeply rooted in Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian traditions, celebrates feminine power, creativity, and nature, while acknowledging struggles against oppression. Their performance was truly incredible, you can also listen to their music on Spotify.

2. Margaret Atwood’s Film ‘Democracy’: The renowned novelist Margaret Atwood’s short film ‘Democracy’, an animated monologue that delved into the state of government, representation, rights, and freedom, was screened. This thought-provoking piece, part of the FT’s Democracy 2024 series, questioned whether democracy is fragile and easily destroyed or flexible and resilient, particularly poignant in a year when more than half the world is heading to the polls.

3. Aditi Mittal’s Live Reading: Indian comedian Aditi Mittal performed a live reading of the script from her short film “In that top”. This comedic yet insightful sketch explores family tensions and the meaning of democracy, offering a blend of humour and political commentary. Mittal’s film is also a part of the FT’s Democracy 2024 series. She has planned to tour the UK with her new set ‘Bad Altitude’ this year, and will be performing at the Soho Theatre from September 9th to 14th.

4. Lola Shoneyin’s recitation of ‘A Fragile State’: Nigerian poet and author Lola Shoneyin delivered a powerful live narration of her poem from “A Fragile State.” Accompanied by the evocative music of Baque Luar, Shoneyin’s performance was a highlight of the evening, combining evocative writing with a compelling delivery.

5. Rosie Holt’s set: British comedian and satirist Rosie Holt, known for her satirical podcast ‘Noncensored’, discussed her forthcoming book “Why We Were Right”. This is a book form of Rosie Holt, the desperate and loyal Tory MP, famous for her viral twitter ‘interviews’. The book is to celebrate the last 14 years of Conservative government and explain to you, the British public, why the so-called “scandals” or “controversial” decisions derided by the left were completely right (and intentional) all along. She has recently been on tour performing her comedy set Woman’s Hour, which was sold out shows across the UK–and can now tell why, her humour resonates very well with her audience.

6. Fetuma Hassan’s Perspective: Sixteen-year-old Fetuma Hassan, the Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets, shared her and her generation’s views on democracy, offering a youthful perspective on governance and civic engagement. Her fresh and earnest perspective added a compelling dimension to the evening’s discussions.

The evening was filled with powerful women from around the world sharing their views on government, representation, rights, and freedom. In a year where 62 countries, representing 49% of the world’s population, are voting in national elections, the event provided a space to reflect on the meaning of democracy and connect with global experiences.

In summary, “Democracy From Where I Stand” was a night of deep reflection and powerful performances. It was an event that not only entertained but also provoked critical thinking and discussion about democracy in today’s world. It exemplified LIFT’s commitment to fostering global connections and understanding through the arts.

LIFT 2024 continues its mission to connect London with the world by engaging and creating communities around ideas and projects. This year, the festival features international works from countries including Canada, Taiwan, Ivory Coast, France, Italy, Cape Verde, Portugal, Brazil, Iran, and Palestine. For more details on the festival line-up, visit the LIFT festival’s page. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience incredible art and transformative performances.

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Photo Credit: Financial Times