The much-anticipated Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival reveals some of the incredible range of events taking place across 2022
The much-anticipated Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival reveals some of the incredible range of events taking place across 2022
A contemporary artwork that uses the fabric of the landscape to create intrigue and wonder, a Japanese manga series bringing Roman history to life like never before, exhibitions and events for all the family, a Roman themed city of light and travelling Saturnalia celebrations are just some of the things that will await visitors to Hadrian’s Wall in 2022, with plenty more to be revealed as the year goes on.
Throughout 2021, the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership has been rallying the troops to bring together a festival which celebrates 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. Hadrian’s Wall 1900 has worked with local interest societies, individuals, community groups, visitor attractions, artists and cultural organisations to encourage them to join in the celebration and deliver their own activity to make up the year-long programme of events.
With activities celebrating life on the Wall from Roman times to the present day, this yearlong festival promises to whisk you back in time and celebrate 1900 years since the building of Hadrian’s Wall.
A packed and ever-growing year-long programme is being planned and developed by communities, attractions and organisations along the Wall and during 2022 visitors can enjoy a range of thought-provoking talks, themed walks, exhilarating exhibitions, flavoursome food festivals and spell binding re-enactments.
Jane, Lady Gibson, Chair of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership said: “After many months of planning and consultation it is a great pleasure to be announcing more information about the festival. We are looking forward to celebrating in such a diverse and exciting way and shining a light on the Wall and the communities that live and work alongside it. There is a real mix of activity on offer; from traditional Roman themed events to more contemporary offerings. It has been fantastic to see how the Wall has provided so much inspiration to people and how activity organisers have found new and exciting ways to tell its stories.”
Cllr Glen Sanderson North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative and Rural said:
“We are really pleased to be supporting such a fantastic festival. It is great to see such a varied programme of activities and events. Hadrian’s Wall is known throughout the world and celebrating its 1900th anniversary is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our region and tell our story.”
The Festival will launch on Hadrian’s birthday on Monday 24 January 2022, with a yearlong programme, culminating with Saturnalia on 17-23 December 2022.
Today the festival is providing a snapshot of activity, which will be added to in the coming months and right the way through 2022, with the first phase of a brand-new website for Hadrian’s Wall Country.
Andrea Selley, Historic Properties Director at English Heritage in the North said: “We are delighted to be involved in this partnership celebrating one of England’s most iconic heritage attractions. Hadrian’s Wall is a remarkable monument, rightly designated by UNESCO as part of a wider world heritage site, its many miles of earthworks, forts and milescastles attract thousands of visitors every year. The Wall is intertwined with the lives of local people, and this festival has a big focus on those communities. In response to this we have been working to identify the anonymous local labourers who uncovered the remains of Corbridge Roman Town, prior to WW1. An exhibition, opening in April, will explore the labourers’ lives, their local family connections and follow their story through the tumultuous years ahead.’
Individuals, groups, venues and organisations along the length of the wall are being encouraged to get involved and be part of this incredible year by visiting https://1900.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/ and submitting their own activities to the programme!
The HW1900 Festival programme to date is available to view on 15th December at https://1900.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/
With over 150 events and activities registered to date here is a preview of just a few …
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL – New Views & Reflections of Hadrian’s Wall
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 January 2022
9am-5pm; Sun 30 Jan – 9am-1pm
Newcastle University Campus
DELIVERED BY: Newcastle University & WallCAP
As part of the celebrations of the 1900th anniversary of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, the Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project (WallCAP) is hosting a conference that celebrates the scholarship of Hadrian’s Wall and how it connects to the archaeology and history of the Roman world more generally.
FALX MANGA SERIES BY ROMY – A manga (Japanese graphic novel) set on Hadrian’s Wall.
Throughout 2022
DELIVERED BY: Romy
In the first half of the second century A.D., a Roman soldier stationed at Hadrian’s Wall in northern Britannia meets a poorly-dressed boy. Follow the story as it explores the idea of “What was it like to live near the Wall 1900 years ago?”. Bring Falx with you on your trip to Hadrian’s Wall in 2022.
HADRIAN’S WALL 1900 SPECIAL EVENT AMATEUR RADIO STATION – A special event Amateur Radio Station transmitting throughout the year.
Throughout 2022
10am-4pm on certain weekdays
DELIVERED BY: Austin Vaughan
The station will transmit from various sites including Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields. A special event Amateur Radio Station will be active on various days during the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Anniversary, communicating by radio with other amateur radio stations all over the world to tell them all about Hadrian’s Wall 1900.
1900 BUNTING CHALLENGE – An open challenge to create 1900 flags of bunting for HW1900.
Monday 24 January 2022 – Friday 23 September
DELIVERED BY: Lynne Barbour in collaboration with Vindolanda Charitable Trust
Celebrating Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th Anniversary, an open challenge is set for everyone to help create by knitting, crocheting or sewing 1900 flags of bunting. Download the design template to get started. The completed designs will be displayed on the replica section of Hadrian’s Wall at Roman Vindolanda.
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison
+44 (0)7850 609 340
[email protected]
www.rosellastudios.com
OBSCURUM – LUX: See Segedunum in a different light
22-29 January 2022
Segedunam
DELIVERED BY: Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum
This modern interpretation of the importance of light and colour in the Roman world is an opportunity to see the gallery and finds in a new and very different light.
BUILDING THE WALL – An exhibition exploring who built Hadrian’s Wall and how.
Saturday 2 April – Saturday 1 October 2022
Segedunam
DELIVERED BY: Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum
This exhibition will explore who built Hadrian’s Wall and how, and consider the substantial practical and logistical challenges involved. It will also focus on the revealing evidence from the impressive 80 metre stretch of Wall remains at Segedunum.
TO THE EDGES OF THE EMPIRE- Celebrating 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall.
Saturday 5 March – Sunday 12 June 2022
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
DELIVERED BY: Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
Marking 1900 years since the commencement of the building of Hadrian’s Wall in AD122 a brand-new exhibition, To the Edges of Empire, will feature beautiful and important objects to explore the role of locations and people across the Roman Empire during Hadrian’s reign.
HADRIAN’S WALL VIRTUAL FOCUS DAY– a day of virtual activities themed around Hadrian’s Wall to celebrate the Hadrian’s Wall
25 March 2022
Virtual
DELIVERED BY: Great North Museum
Join Hadrian’s Wall Learning and Engagement Forum for a day of virtual activities themed around Hadrian’s Wall to celebrate the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival.
Take part in live workshops, discover more about the various sites across the Wall and submit your questions for one of our experts to answer!
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison
+44 (0)7850 609 340
[email protected]
www.rosellastudios.com
THE LOST FORT- Discover more about the ‘ lost fort’ in South Shields.
Monday 28 March – Sunday 2 October 2022
Arbeia
DELIVERED BY: Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
There is tantalising evidence of a Hadrianic period fort in South Shields that predates the Antonine fort of Arbeia. This small exhibition will explore what we know and don’t know about this ‘lost’ fort that controlled sea and river access to the Roman frontier.
VINDOLANDA EXCAVATIONS 2022 – 2022 will unearth the amazing remains of lives lived at Vindolanda Roman Fort
Monday 28 March 2022 – Friday 23 September 2022
Monday – Friday 10am-4pm
DELIVERED BY: Vindolanda Charitable Trust
Vindolanda Excavations 2022 will unearth the amazing remains of lives lived at Vindolanda Roman Fort. Stand at the trench edge and see history uncovered, question the archaeologists, see artefacts emerge from the ground and learn about the people who lived here, through the objects and buildings they have left behind.
EXTRAORDINARY EXPLORATION – The Edwardian Discovery of Coria.
1 April – 31 October 2022
Corbridge Roman Town
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
A don’t miss exhibition for HW1900: Between 1906 and 1914 excavations at Corbridge uncovered the well-preserved remains of the most northerly Town in Roman Britain. Most of the labourers who did the work were local and almost entirely anonymous. To mark the 1900 anniversary celebrations of Hadrian’ Wall, research has been trying to identify these men from the wonderful collection of photographs from the excavation. The exhibition will explore both the discovery of the site, and the story of the local labourers who worked hard to uncover the site’s secrets.
EASTER ROMAN ADVENTURE QUESTS – Crack the clues as you explore our outdoor trail around the Roman ruins.
Saturday 2 – Sunday 24 April 2022
Chesters Roman Fort and Birdoswald Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
Join English Heritage on a legendary quest this Easter holiday. Crack the clues as you explore outdoor trails around the Roman ruins.
HALTWHISTLE WALKING FESTIVAL – The walking Festival that is ‘more than just a walk’.
Saturday 23 April – Monday 2 May 2022
DELIVERED BY: Haltwhistle Walking Festival
Whether you enjoy a relaxing walk or striding out on Hadrian’s Wall, Haltwhistle Walking Festival is ‘more than just a walk’. Talented leaders will entertain you with their ‘Did
You Knows’ and a number of Wall-related events.
Hadrian’s Wall views
KIDS RULE EMPEROR – A week of exciting family events and experience history first hand.
Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June 2022
Birdoswald Roman Fort & Chesters Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
Step back in time this May Half term as history is brought to life. Enjoy a week of exciting family events and experience history firsthand. Days out with the kids have never been more rewarding.
A MIDSUMMER’S EVENING IN CORBRIDGE – A summer festival of music, dancing, street food and market stalls.
Thursday 23 June 2022
4pm to 9pm
Corbridge village centre
DELIVERED BY: Visit Corbridge
Midsummer in Corbridge a few miles south of Hadrian’s Wall with its own English Heritage Roman Town. A festival of music, street food, market stalls, plus special events at award-winning independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Also celebrating Corbridge Roman Town in this Hadrian’s Wall 1900 anniversary year.
NORTHERN TALES – Annual Book Festival and arrival in Hexham of a vintage.
Spiegeltent
June
Spiegeltent, Hexham Abbey
DELIVERED BY: Hexham Book Festival
As part of our annual Book Festival and arrival in Hexham of a vintage Spiegeltent an event sharing specially commissioned work from three writers and an illustrator celebrating the diverse and fascinating county of Northumberland, its inhabitants, its agricultural Heritage and historical connections. With particular emphasis on Hadrian’s Wall and its celebration of 1900 years.
GONE TO THE WALL – A brand-new play by On the Move Theatre.
26 February / 4 March / 18 June / 25 & 26 June 2022
7pm / 7:30pm / 4pm / 11:30am & 2:30pm
Whitley Chapel Parish Hall / Slaley Village Hall / The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland / Roman Vindolanda
DELIVERED BY: On the Move Theatre
Gone to the Wall is a family play, set in the year AD 121. The ideas, reality, and difficulties of such a mammoth undertaking as building the frontier are comically explored, while putting on a colourful and entertaining version of what may have happened. Romans, Celts, music, and laughs throughout!
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison
+44 (0)7850 609 340
[email protected]
www.rosellastudios.com
INTERVENTION IN THE LANDSCAPE – A captivating artistic intervention in the landscape around Hadrian’s Wall.
From July TBC
Location TBC
DELIVERED BY: Hadrian’s Wall 1900 for Hadrian’s Wall Partnership
A spectacular artistic intervention will use the fabric of the landscape surrounding Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in a new and intriguing way to enthral and inspire visitors to the area. The large-scale artwork is expected to be in situ for a duration of at least a month as a “must see” experience in the spring and summer of 2022.
65C
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison
+44 (0)7850 609 340
[email protected]
www.rosellastudios.com
HAIL HADRIAN – English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark HW1900 anniversary.
Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 July 2022
Where is this one?
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
English Heritage blockbuster series event to mark Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th anniversary: Hail Hadrian! Bring the whole family to experience the thrilling times of Roman life with reenactors, Roman artillery, archery and cavalry shows. Get hands on at sword school, stop by the armour tent and try out to be a Roman soldier.
HADRIAN’S WALL SUMMER EXPLORER QUEST – Crack clues in our Roman themed Summer Explorer Quest.
Saturday 23 July – Sunday 4 September 2022
Chesters Roman Fort and Birdoswald Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
Follow the trail and crack clues in this Roman themed Summer Explorer Quest!
ROMAN FESTIVAL – A festival celebrating all things Roman at the end of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in Maryport.
Saturday 23 July – Monday 29 August 2022
Senhouse Roman Museum
DELIVERED BY: Senhouse Roman Museum
A festival celebrating all things Roman at the end of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in Maryport. Discover how the Romans lived and worked on the Solway Frontier and what we can discover about their lives from the landscape and the objects they left behind.
ROMAN FALCONRY – See birds of prey up close, find out why birds were so popular in the Roman era and watch incredible falconry displays.
Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 July / Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 August 2022
Chesters Roman Fort and Birdoswald Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
In a world ruled by gods and goddesses, birds were very important within the Roman belief system. See birds of prey up close, find out why birds were so popular in the Roman era and watch incredible falconry displays.
THE BUILDING OF HADRIAN’S WALL ROMANS – English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark HW1900 anniversary.
Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 July 2022
Birdoswald Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th anniversary. Explore the living history camp and meet the Romans who built the Empire’s northern frontier.
CLASH OF ROMANS – English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark HW1900 anniversary.
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 August 2022
Chesters Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th anniversary: Watch the Roman Empire’s finest soldiers compete in an intense show of strength and skill. Two teams will throw spears, take aim on the archery field and clash with swords and shields. Pick a side and cheer them on – but remember, only one will emerge victorious.
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison
+44 (0)7850 609 340
[email protected]
www.rosellastudios.com
ROMAN’S RETURN: BIG BIRTHDAY BASH – The world-famous re-enactment society, The Ermine Street Guard are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 August 2022
10am-4pm
Roman Vindolanda
DELIVERED BY: Vindolanda Charitable Trust
The world-famous Ermine Street Guard will be celebrating their 50th anniversary year at Vindolanda. See military displays, a Roman camp and have a go at the Roman soldier school. A great weekend not to be missed.
NIGHT ATTACK – English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark HW1900 anniversary
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 August 2022
Chesters Roman Fort
DELIVERED BY: English Heritage
English Heritage’s blockbuster series event to mark Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th anniversary – witness a spectacular night attack on the Roman defences of Chesters Roman Fort.
CITY OF LIGHTS – HADRIAN’S WALL 1900 – Carlisle City of Lights celebrates 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall
13 to 15 October 2022
7-9pm
Carlisle Cathedral, Tullie House Museum and Carlisle Castle
DELIVERED BY: Carlisle City Council
Immerse yourself in a fantastic sound and light experience and be transported through time from the present day to Roman times in Luguvalium – Carlisle.
Explore illuminated landmarks throughout the city and enjoy immersive sound and light experiences at Carlisle Cathedral, Tullie House Gardens and Carlisle Castle.
Carlisle City of Light Festival 2021. The three day festival in the historic quarter of Carlisle. Son et lumière projections were beamed onto the Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral and the Keep of Carlisle Castle. Visitors followed at trail through Tullie House gardens: 16 October 2021
STUART WALKER
Stuart Walker Photography 2021
ILLUMINATE – A FESTIVAL OF FLAME – an annual celebration of fire, music, poetry and community.
Friday 25 November 2022
Hexham Abbey
DELIVERED BY: Hexham Community Partnership & Queen’s Hall Arts
Illuminate – a Festival of Flame is an annual celebration of fire, music, poetry and community that takes place at Hexham Abbey on the last Friday in November. Expect fire gardens, live performances, food and drink and the special atmosphere of Hexham Abbey by candlelight.
FESTIVAL OF SATURNALIA – Saturnalia festivities in towns and villages along the wall
17 to 23 December 2022
Across Hadrian’s Wall
DELIVERED BY: Various Organisations
Communities across the length of the wall will be invited and encouraged to deliver their own Saturnalia festivities in towns and villages along the wall by connecting with one another in this fun merry making event.
