This year’s programme really feels like it couldn’t take place in any city other than Southampton.

There’s a strong connection to our oceans and seas – we’ve got events on deep-sea sharks, the history of ocean exploration, plankton-themed murals ocean-plastic dance performances, and a newly commissioned piece of music based on research from the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute.

How we engage with the natural world around us is a focus for this year’s Festival.  Whether it’s discussions on climate activism, foraging for food in urban environments, or exploring sustainable farming practices through folk music and storytelling, we want to delve deeply into our relationship with our planet.

Southampton is also the home to incredible advances in health sciences and AI.  The British Science Association’s new President, Dame Wendy Hall, will reflect on how AI is re-shaping society and how we can take back ownership from big tech companies. We will also be exploring the links between the gut and mental health, how to combat online misinformation, healthy ageing, celebrating medical professionals and focusing on reproductive and maternal health. We’ve got singing fire-fighters, a church-going robot, fishy ear-stones, Japanese competitive litter picking, crystal-maze style challenges, fashion shows, comedy workshops, and so much more.

Join us in celebrating the weird and wonderful world we live in, and help shape a future that works for us all.

James Brown, Festival Director