Amelia Dimoldenberg, Ash Sarkar and Olly Alexander to lead ‘Letters To The Future’ weekend at Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre today announces a new youth-powered weekender Letters To The Future (18–20 September) spotlighting the cultural leaders of the next generation. 

Internationally renowned creators, writers, activists, thinkers and multi-hyphenate stars Amelia Dimoldenberg, Olly Alexander, Mya-Rose Craig and Rebecca F. Kuang curate panel discussions tackling the biggest issues of the moment, whilst lecturer, broadcaster and bestselling author Ash Sarkar delivers the inaugural Southbank Centre Annual Lecture. Complementing these events is a rich interdisciplinary programme including talks, performances, free gigs, DJs sets, and spoken word.

Inspired by the embrace of culture and innovation as a “tonic for the nation” during the 1951 Festival of Britain – the catalyst for the building of the Royal Festival Hall and ultimately the birth of the Southbank Centre itself – Letters To The Future champions the creativity and perspective of young people. The weekend foregrounds the voices of the generation who will inherit our society and steer it through its next 75 years; a generation disproportionately affected by the decisions of those who came before them. Across a series of creative, cross-arts events, emerging talents and cultural leaders will take to the stage to confront and construct their visions of the future.

The pinnacle of the weekend is the first in an annual series of Southbank Centre Lectures, in which a leading public figure will address the urgent issues of our time through the lens of art and culture. For its inaugural edition, journalist and activist Ash Sarkar will present The Future of Relationships (20 Sep) exploring how our complex web of interpersonal connections will continue to shift and change as we move deeper into the digital age. 

“I’ve spent my career navigating the world of digital media (and chicken shops) and I couldn’t be more excited to bring this panel together! The digital space is constantly evolving, and there are so many incredible ways for young people to create something fantastic, on their own terms. I am excited to delve into how to create meaningful work, and how to stand out in a field that’s getting louder every minute.”

Amelia Dimoldenberg

Find out more about Letters to the Future