The 2021 FTWeekend Festival will return in-person on September 4. This year, there is a theme to unite the starry line-up of speakers and subjects: Reawakening: Imagining a post-pandemic world. Held at Kenwood House Gardens, London, the festival is where FTWeekend journalism comes to life, we take on the great issues of the day - and celebrate life, literature, art and much more including food and wine. Guests will enjoy the breadth of the FTWeekend across seven stages: Literature & Tech; Arts; Food, Drink and Travel; FT Money; House & Home; How To Spend It; and the FTWeekend main stage.

On the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens Kenwood House has been home to the FTWeekend Festival since 2016. As FT Live’s first in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic, this year’s festival is set to be a real celebration with a theme that offers hope and reflection. For those not able to attend in person, the FTWeekend main stage will be streamed live online and select sessions from other stages will be available on demand following the event.

Speakers will include the historian Simon Schama, author, columnist and More or Less presenter, Tim Harford, FT editor Roula Khalaf, a host of prominent authors and performers, and much-admired FT writers including Martin Wolf, Camilla Cavendish, Robert Shrimsley and Merryn Somerset Webb. Also appearing will be FT science commentator, Anjana Ahuja; designer, Luke Edward Hall; writer and founder of Now Teach, Lucy Kellaway; and Master of Wine and wine writer, Jancis Robinson. More speakers will be announced in the coming days.

Alec Russell, FTWeekend editor, said: “The FTWeekend Festival is that magical moment when we bring our stories to life off the page - and when our readers can meet fellow FTWeekend devotees, and quiz their much loved writers. During the pandemic our UK readership has surged. Each week new and old readers have written to me saying that FTWeekend has sustained and inspired them under lockdown. Now we look forward to inspiring you in person, whether on stage or via food demos, wine tastings, live poetry and music.”

Orson Francescone, managing director of FT Live, said: “While our pivot to digital events since the pandemic began has been tremendously successful, our team is delighted to again host in-person events, where our guests can interact with FT editorial talent and the impressive array of international speakers FT Live attracts.”

The health and safety of guests, suppliers and staff is paramount. FT Live will continue to monitor and follow Government regulations and guidance throughout the planning, opening and running of the event and everyone visiting our events will be asked to familiarise themselves with the latest Government advice before they attend. The event’s COVID-19 plan is available here.

Early Bird passes are now available at ftweekendfestival.com.

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Contact

For more information, or to request a press pass, please contact Mark Staniland I mark.staniland@ft.com

About the Financial Times

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of more than one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.