Imagination Festival of Ideas

A rather brilliant sounding event is taking place in the Southside next month.

Organised by Gerry Hassan and Roanne Dods (supported by University of the West of Scotland and PAL Labs), the Imagination Festival: 'Scotland's Festival of Ideas' is on the weekend of Friday Sept 5th-Sunday Sept 7th.

Taking place at the Govanhill Baths, the Glad Cafe and other Southside venues there will be over 20 events with 60 speakers, films, eight bands, musical acts and a DJ set;

"Our programme and speakers will cover areas of ideas, culture, history and politics – all in a way which is non-partisan and non-aligned. We are aiming for a programme that is intelligent but relaxed and personable – marrying the best sense of an intimate book festival with an engaged light touch connection to people and place."

The Southside of Glasgow has for a long time been at the forefront of community engagement projects and new ways of thinking with things like Locavre, Bungo in the Lanes, GladCafe, Southside Fringe, the Laurieston Arts project, Caledonia Church, Govanhill Baths and the Kinning Park Project etc, people of the Southside are just getting out and making things happen. This festival seems to be a celebration of that type of approach and thinking.

Gerry Hassan, southsider and organiser said

“Scotland's first ever Festival of Ideas promises to be exciting, diverse, challenging and enjoyable. It brings together a stellar range of speakers, topics, films, live music and a range of perspectives across a number of venues at a pivotal moment in Scotland's history.”

You can see the full selection of speakers here but they include a mix including Billy Bragg, David Torrance, Ross Colquhoun, Cat Boyd, Iain MacWhirter, Adam Tomkins and Robin McAlpine.

You can book tickets to go to individual sessions or there is a weekend ticket to get into everything. All details are here.

Imagination: Scotland's Festival of Ideas

Weekend 5-7th September

www.imaginationfestival.co.uk/