Funding award for Hadrian's Wall Partnership

Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, which is co-ordinating a year-long festival celebrating Hadrian’s Wall 1900th anniversary in 2022, is thrilled to announce they have been awarded pivotal funding from North of Tyne Combined Authority.

Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival will mark the 1900^th anniversary of the commencement of the building of Hadrian’s Wall. Organisations, communities and individuals are planning to celebrate this unique anniversary in a myriad of different ways across 2022 in a packed programme that will include everything from community events to high profile arts commissions.

Jane, Lady Gibson, Chair of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, said: “This funding means that we can now formalise our delivery team and start planning for a truly remarkable festival in 2022.

Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival is a huge opportunity to unleash the recognised economic potential of Hadrian’s Wall’s cultural and heritage capital, and to build back stronger after Covid-19."

She went on to say: “Although this funding is hugely significant, we still have a long way to go and we cannot stress enough how important it is that individuals, groups, venues and organisations along the length of the Wall get involved so they can enjoy a spectacular festival in 2022."

From Hadrian’s birthday on 24 January to Saturnalia on 23 December 2022, the year-long Festival will bring communities and visitors closer to the people that have lived and worked along the Wall from pre-Roman times to the present day.

The festival will build the reputation and profile of this much-loved World Heritage Site as a varied, high quality 21st century visitor destination, and as a significant element in the transnational Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site which includes the Antonine Wall in Scotland and the Roman defences across Europe from the Dutch coast to the mouth of the Danube.

The funding from North of Tyne will ensure that the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership can develop the festival’s co-ordination team to ensure as many people as possible can support, take part in, and engage with this incredible anniversary.

Cllr Glen Sanderson North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative and Rural and Leader of Northumberland County Council said:

“This unique festival will give communities and visitors something to look forward to in 2022. 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. 

This is important funding: it will boost our businesses, economy and tourism helping ensure a strong recovery from the pandemic.”

This project is part-funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority.  

Anyone interested in creating an activity or event which could become part of the year-long festival is invited to register at https://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/hadrianswall1900/getinvolved. Over 100 ideas have already been received. This is an exciting opportunity to really deliver something unique and be part of a once in a lifetime festival!

Hadrian’s Wall 1900 festival will provide opportunities for everyone to celebrate and find their connection to the Wall whether it be Roman history, dark skies, the natural environment, cultural diversity, food, music, the arts and more.

Ultimately the festival will celebrate 1900 years of this incredible World Heritage Site. By connecting people and places through time and bringing to life the culture and experiences of local people living and working along the Wall, this festival will deliver something that will stand the test of time, just like the Wall itself.