Festival of Home

A weekend festival of talks, performances, workshops, food and music, exploring home and belonging.

The last year has made us stop, reflect and think about what home means, physically but also emotionally, practically, spiritually and financially. The feeling of belonging is one we should all be able to experience and cherish – but between societal systems of power, restrictive immigration rules and a climate of austerity, it is becoming a luxury.

From panels and workshops, to drag and poetry, the whole Museum site will come alive with an array of activities all exploring what belonging looks like at home, who's granted belonging and where people belong.

The Festival of Home supports our annual Campaign for Change with dedicated programming. This year's campaign Behind the Door, centres on the homelessness that is happening every day in London, often behind closed doors, and often for women and families. A number of festival events and discussions will explore these topics.

Saturday 18 September, 11am to 5pm

A reading and discussion by award-winning children's book author and activist Onjali Q. Rauf, looking at how to incorporate activism and storytelling – chaired by Carolyn Asome

Drag, music and spoken word performances from Jason Kwan, Shiva Raichandani and GrapeGuitarBox aka Teenasai Balamu, performing as queer pan-Asian cabaret collective The Bitten Peach

An all-ages storytelling workshop on love and belonging led by Olivia Armstrong

A figurative sculpture workshop by arts network BLKBRD Collective

A documentation workshop by portrait photographer Occupied by the Lense

A discussion on gentrification with Hackney-based campaign group Friends of the Joiners Arms

A panel discussion on women and home, looking at hidden forms of not-belonging, chaired by Onjali Q. Rauf, with Marissa Begonia and Dr Julia Tomas

A supper club by Bangla community cafe TATI canteen

Food and drinks by the Marylebone Centre and Molly's cafe

Sunday 19 September, 11am to 5pm

An in-conversation with social historian and writer Emma Dabiri about 'What White Institutions Can Do Next'

A workshop using embroidery as a form of self-care and healing, with artist and activist The Bonita Chola

A poster workshop by Aida Prints

Performances on journeys of belonging by Change the Word Poetry Fellows Diyo Mulopo Bopengo and Sarah Orola, accompanied by music by Mohamed Sarrar

An all-ages storytelling workshop on love and belonging led by Olivia Armstrong

A panel discussion about housing and sustainable alternatives, 'The Future of Home' chaired by Victoria Spratt, with Heather Macey, Razia Khanom and Seyi Adelekun

A supper club by Indonesian home chef Eat With Spoons

Food and drinks by the Marylebone Centre and Molly's cafe