The director of a cultural festival in Coventry says its events in March will celebrate the city’s ‘Amazing Women’ - including a family campus day showcasing women in science.
The University of Warwick’s Resonate Festival has launched its full spring programme, with March events coinciding with International Women’s Day 2022 and culminating with a big on-campus three-day festival finale from April 19-21. This will be university’s way of marking Coventry’s UK City of Culture year coming to a close and a host of “very special guests” are expected to be announced soon.
Helen Wheatley, Resonate’s Festival Director, who is Professor of Film & Television Studies, said: “In the lead up to our big on-campus festival, we have still got lots of events happening all around the city. Our spring season focuses on three themes: Being Human, Health, and Amazing Women.
“Across the month of March, and coinciding with International Women’s Day we’re focusing on Amazing Women. From an interactive exhibition about magical, fortune-telling women at the Central Library to a family day on campus promoting the role of women in science, there will be something for everyone to take part in and enjoy.
“Our researchers and their collaborators – theatre companies, writers, textile artists, puppeteers, activists, folk dancers – will be gathering and telling women’s stories all across the city.
“You can hear the trailblazing history of South Asian women’s activism in the city, see what it’s like to be a woman in prison, in the past and the present, learn how women have quietly – and not so quietly – changed the world, and perhaps take a walk with us to bring tales of Coventry’s pioneering suffragettes to life.
“We also want you to tell us the stories of the ‘Amazing Women’ in your lives – as ever, Resonate is a collaboration between everyone who attends our events.”
A Slice of Science returns on Sunday March 13 to celebrate Amazing Women and British Science Week with family-friendly interactive workshops, taster sessions and talks at The Oculus on the University of Warwick campus (https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/a-slice-of-science).
On Saturday March 19 Coventry Women’s Suffragette Walk will follow in the footsteps of pioneering activists Helen Dawson and Alice Lea who were soaked with waste water while chalking details of a major women’s rights meeting in Bath led by Sylvia Pankhurst on the pavements of Coventry (https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/coventry-womens-suffrage-walk).
There is also the rare chance to see artist Faye Claridge’s Prisoners on Prisoners audio-visual exhibition looking at women’s experiences of criminalisation at Coventry Cathedral Crypt for one day only on Tuesday March 15 (https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/womens-stories-of-criminalisation).
Events taking place on the themes of Being Human and Health aim to encourage people across Coventry and Warwickshire to think about how to stay healthy, happy and successful in 2022.
Professor Wheatley added: “Researchers from the university, from Warwick Business and Medical Schools and beyond, invite you to come along to a series of events this spring, whether you’re a business owner wanting to hone your negotiation skills, or you’re curious about how food affects your mood or how you can improve your own mental and physical health.
“As with all of our Resonate events, we’re inviting people to come and collaborate, to talk to us about the topics that matter to you and to find out how you can play a role in future research.”
Highlights include a free family-friendly community shadow puppet performance and talk at Canley Community Centre on Thursday February 24 called Invisible Worlds – Humans and the Supernatural for all aged 11+ 9 https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/invisible-worlds-humans-and-the-supernatural).
A free post-pandemic workshop for small businesses, Negotiate Your Way to Success, will be delivered by the University of Warwick’s Business School at Coventry Telegraph Hotel on Sunday March 6. Led by Daniel Read, Professor of Behaviour Science, and Professor Thomas Hills, it will look at the psychology of negotiation in business and everyday life (https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/negotiate-your-way-to-success).
Celebrating the power of creativity, conversation and connection, Resonate Festival has been running since May 2021 linked with the monthly themes and timings of the City of Culture year.
This 12-month programme features inspiring, interactive and free events for all ages across Coventry and Warwickshire ‘to spark ideas, curiosity and creativity’. Encompassing arts, sciences and humanities, it includes performances, talks and public conversations, exhibitions, film festivals, walking tours, activities and so much more.
For further information and the full programme of Being Human, Health, and Amazing Women events from February to April visit https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/