A sense of anticipation

DR Stephen Terry, who is a Canon at Durham Cathedral, writes: I first heard about this festival a year or so ago when a programme came my way by chance but too late. 

I was sorry to have missed it. It looked like good fun in a great cause. This year I am going – to give the ‘keynote address’ at the Launch Event. (I wish they had called it the Opening Ceremony – that has become such a good phrase this last week.)

The next day I will chair the first of 24 Conversations: ‘Forgiveness: Optional or Mandatory?’ The Conversations are the backbone of the festival. The subjects range from conflict to finance, from women in leadership to contemporary masculinity, from Scottish identity to Afghanistan and Syria, from Islamophobia to the spirituality of death. Charles Handy is leading one on entitled ‘Alone, Together’.

Alongside the conversations are all sorts of arts events and participatory activities. The music programme is stunning and there is plenty of space for poetry too. I wish I could get along to ‘The Craic Where The Light gets In’ with Richard Merrington and Elspeth Murray, just because I like the title so much. There are also a couple of mouth-watering cake-based sessions.

In fact, there is really enticing programme for children and families. FoSP kicked off yesterday evening and if the tweets are anything to go by the group Soweto Entsha, who performed at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in 2010, are on cracking form. They seem to be on just about every day.

Dr Cherry's blog is called Another Angle. 

Faith, hope and reality

THE theme for the 2011 Festival of Spirituality & Peace is Faith, Hope and Reality.

In an often troubled world, how do we build up real trust (which is what the word 'faith' betokens)? Where are our sources and foundations of hope as people and communities? And how do we face the harsher realities of the world without being dragged down into despair? 

One answer is that can we learn together by responding positively to the spirit of change embodied in the 'Arab Spring' - and in many other movements for cultural renewal, social justice, bridge-building and peacemaking across the world.

This year's Festival - which runs from 6 - 29 August - will offer many glimpses of a 'new world coming': through a range of conversations with change-makers and opinion formers; in performance, art and music; and in events designed to bring children and families together across cultures.  There will also be special events, film, and talks and workshops.

We look forward to meeting you there...