Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2022 has unveiled its full programme of panels and keynotes- tickets are now on sale.
Christopher Wylie, Gail Porter, David Harewood, Mary Beard, Rosie Jones, Simon Jordan and Gareth Thomas amongst new names announced joining Yotam Ottolenghi, David Olusoga at this year's Leeds International Festival of Ideas.
Tackling some of the most crucial questions of our time, Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) has just launched its full panel and keynote speakers for 2022. From the future of technology, to climate justice and the social duty of sports professionals, this will be an international festival to remember.
Consisting of four keynote talks and six panels from Thursday 22 September - Sunday 25 September 2022, LIFI will take place in Leeds’ new premier venue, Howard Assembly Room and Howard Opera Centre.
FIFI in 2021. / Image: Tom Martin for Chapter 81
At each event, a host of household names and industry experts will debate and discuss thought-provoking subjects, and more, at length in expertly chaired panels.
Joining the previously announced chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi and British-Nigerian historian and broadcaster David Olusoga OBE in delivering the festival’s keynote addresses, an array of speakers have been added to this exciting line-up.
Award-winning stand-up, writer and actor, Aisling Bea, and classicist and national treasure Mary Beard have been added to the keynote line-up, whilst Christopher Wylie, best known for his role in setting up - and taking down - the cyberwarfare firm Cambridge Analytica, will join the Sonia Sodha-chaired panel ‘Is social media ruling the world?’.
Aisling Bea, Speaking at LIFI22 / Image: Supplied
Sodha, chief leader writer and columnist at the Observer and Guardian, will also be joined on the panel by Dr Al Baker, editorial director at misinformation-fighting tech start-up Logically and consultant, speaker, writer and podcaster Africa Brooke.
Award winning journalist, author and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon will host ‘How do we talk about mental health?’, where her panel will discuss if there is still more to be added to the conversation, or if it has now been normalised.
Environmental activist, and honorary president of Black Environment Network, Judy Ling Wong CBE will also be joining the LIFI panel alongside policy and advocacy expert Pauline Castres, president of Swedish youth organisation Sáminuorra Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen, climate justice activist Dominique Palmer, Miami-based artist Lee Pivnik and wildlife cameraman and photographer Hamza Yassin.
David Olusoga, speaking at Leeds International Festival of Ideas says: "The world is in a strange place right now and having festivals like this, bringing people together to discuss topics is exactly what is needed. I will be talking about the history of great inventions and the inventors and can they ever be separated."
Headline names include Yotam Ottolenghi, David Olusoga and Lara Lewington. / Image: Supplied
Over the four days, each household name will chair a panel of events, with headline questions like: 'is the metaverse our future reality?' hosted by Lara Lewington, and 'how do we talk about mental health?' with mental health campaigner, journalist and author Byrony Gordon.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Sophie Smith -
27th April 2022 
