Thanks to the Gulbenkian Foundation and The Climate Coalition, Letters to the Earth has kicked off 2022 with a programme of creative workshops across the UK to unleash people's imagination and courage in response to the climate and ecological emergency.
First up: we co-facilitated a day-long 'Assembly' on February 21st for South Devon landowners, businesses, homeowners and visitors to share ideas, learn from each other and begin collaborations towards a rapid transition to net zero emissions. Organised by Bigbury Net Zero (BNZ) conversations focused on clean energy, food & farming and greening rural transport. We facilitated creative exercises for the group to get to know each other and write and share their Letters to the Earth.
The below video gives a flavour of the day and what we could bring to your community...
'Brilliant mix of science and culture, data and feeling. The passion in the room was palpable' - Gary Parker, Director Wychwood Biodiversity
'More motivated than ever to continue to help encourage positive change at grassroots/community level towards a better future for all. Thank you for a brilliant experience.' - Gary Joliffe, Director 'Til The Coast is Clear
'Brilliant day! Sooo much inspiration. So much to do - I'm going to be getting busy. I'm not going to stop trying. It's good to know there are people just as worried and as passionate as me!' - Eva Stephens, Sustainable South Hams
'A wonderful day, beautifully curated by you, Ruth and Kay. All fantastically inspiring. The way you got people talking to each other was very effective.' - Jo Highley
'Art and culture are great media for communication and connection. The race to zero is well and truly on. It's urgent, scary, feels highly trepidatious, but is achievable' - Jonathan Smith, Carbon Toolkit
Next, in collaboration with Culture Declares Emergency we are taking our workshop to cultural organisations to support their mission to deepen public engagement on the climate and ecological emergency. All artists, cultural practitioners, cultural workers and audiences of art and culture are welcome. In fact - we believe everyone is an artist, so if you're in the area, then do come!
Thursday 17th March: Norwich Arts Centre, 7.30 - 9.30pm:
As part of the launch of the Culture Declares East of England Hub, Letters to the Earth invites you to meet others in your community, hear about local actions and projects and to consider the role of art and culture in response to these times. Expect new conversations, new collaborations and the writing of many new Letters to create a temporary exhibition in the Arts Centre on the night.
Facilitated by Kay Michael, a theatre-maker, co-founder of Culture Declares Emergency and founding director of Letters to the Earth. With special guest Rupert Read, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia, former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and co-founder of the Green Activists Network, GreensCAN. He is the author of Parents For A Future, and his new book, Why Climate Breakdown Matters, is due to be published in the summer. Rupert will be reading his own Letter to the Earth.
Tickets: £3
Book here.
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Thursday 24th March: Hastings Common Room, 5.30 - 7pm
This workshop will create space for participants to share responses to the climate and ecological emergency, and facilitate the generation of creative and personal responses through the writing and sharing of Letters – which can be to or from the Earth, another species, person, moment in time or place. Expect new conversations and a chance to find common ground and new collaborations. The facilitator is Kay Michael, a theatre-maker, co-founder of Culture Declares and the director of Letters to the Earth. All ages are welcome.
This free session will be followed by a Transition Town Hastings Food for Thought pot luck supper – please bring a dish to share if you would like to stay on for the evening.
Free.
No booking required.
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More workshops will soon be announced in Durham, Birmingham and in Salisbury...
And if you'd like to book us to run a workshop for your community, school or workplace please write to us at community@letterstotheearth.com
'Biggest inspiration: taken heart from all the letters heard. Moving, inspirational. Inspiration from listening and hearing what others have to say, how they share their feelings. Thank you.'
- participant at Burgh Island Climate Assembly
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