Festival brings international artists to Redruth to celebrate Cornwall’s landscape and identity

 “This felt like a new cultural offering in Cornwall which has enriched audiences and opened eyes and hearts to new perspectives.” – Festivalgoer

Harbour International Festival of Theatre premiered in Redruth in September 2024 and plans to return every other year. It featured inspirational performances from international, national and regional artists in theatre, dance, circus and music with performers from Belgium, Ukraine, Norway, Wales and Cornwall.

The nine-day event also included two residencies with international theatre companies – Hooligan Art Community (Ukraine) and Ontroreond Geod (Belgium) – which saw performers from Cornwall collaborate to create brand new pieces of theatre with the international groups.

Joshua Nawras, Harbour Festival Co-creator, said: “The aim of Harbour Festival is to bring some of the best performers from across the globe and put them on a stage with Cornish performers to create a really new dynamic experience for the people of Redruth.”

The residencies provided international artists with time, space, resources, and financial support contributing to the artists’ development. It also gave opportunities for collaboration, experimentation and cultural exchange with the local participants. The resulting performances were strong statements of the power of connection and a celebration of Cornwall, and placed Cornish voices on an international stage.

One festivalgoer said: “It was breathtaking actually –  a breathtaking, magical spectacle.

“Lots more of this in Redruth would be amazing.”

Another added: “It would be amazing to see more work of this quality and this kind of style of work.”

Harbour Festival benefited both the local community and the performing arts scene by providing an economic boost, cultural enrichment, community building, artistic growth and educational opportunities. Paid jobs and volunteer opportunities were also created which boosted participants’ experience in the creative sector. During the Festival, Redruth saw an increase in visitors who spent money on accommodation, dining and transportation. Local businesses also saw a surge in customers.

Joshua said: “In two years, we’re going to be here welcoming people once again to the second Harbour Festival.

“It’s just the first step on what I think is going to be a really long journey of welcoming people from across the world to this building and to Redruth and sharing incredible moments that I think it’s just going to grow and grow.”

Sam Kyslyi, Hooligan Art Community, said: “I’m very happy to come back again and again and perform for the community and meet all these beautiful people again and again because we are friends now.”

Project impact at a glance:

• 50 participants developing skills in workshops
• 1300 tickets sold to performances
• 400 people attending other events including sharings and launches
• 25 in depth career development for vulnerable groups
• 400 schoolchildren seeing theatre for the first time
• 5 venues used for theatre and performance for the first time
• 15 local businesses services engaged
• 40 volunteering opportunities created
• Deep engagement between participants and international theatre makers
• Developing reputation for Redruth as the ‘creative capital of Cornwall’
• Inspiring programmes from other providers like Wesley Chapel, Pasty Festival, Stick Figure Gallery, Lode Space

Find out more about the festival on the Harbour Festival website.

Harbour Festival was made possible thanks to a £120,000 investment from the Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.