Hackney History Festival to return for two weekends in May

Local author and historian Ken Worpole will make an appearance at the festival

The second annual Hackney History Festival is set to make a splash over two weekends this spring, with a smorgasbord of events on this year’s theme of celebrating the borough’s diverse past.

Put on by the Hackney Society on 10, 11, 17 and 18 May, the festival will revolve around three days of talks at the Round Chapel, Sutton House and Hackney Archives.

Taking part are historians Ken Worpole and Amir Dotan, journalist Andy Beckett, artist Lucinda Rogers, photographer Neil Martinson, novelist Kate Murray-Browne, and many more.

Lucinda Rogers at Ridley Road Market. Photograph: Patricia Niven

In addition to talks, the event will feature 11 walks covering everything from Stone Age Hackney to performance art on the Balls Pond Road.

There will also be satellite events in numerous venues, ranging from Day-Mer Turkish and Kurdish Community Centre to the Hackney Empire.

You’ll be able to choose from film screenings, boat trips, and even an opera.

Janet Chapman, festival organiser, says the aim of the festival is to “highlight the amazing borough we call home, and celebrate its rich heritage”.

Highlights will include a talk by writer Richard Yeboah, who is putting the finishing touches on a book on gentrification in Hackney.

There will also be an analysis of Hackney Council by London specialist Professor Tony Travers.

Meanwhile, writers Sheela Banerjee and Lucy Fulford will be speaking about migration, friendship and family.

To find out more, visit hackneyhistoryfestival.org.