Tickets have now gone on sale for this year’s Kendal Mountain Festival, which picks up on pressing themes of tolerance and conservation in its comprehensive programe of films, talks and events.
This year’s international programme of talks, films, and specialist sessions will be inspired by Kendal Mountain Festival’s refreshing theme of ‘Openness’. This theme is not only to “broaden the people, places, experiences and ideas represented on stage,” as Artistic Director, Claire-Jane Carter explains, but also a call for people to open their minds as Kendal Mountain Literature Festival Patron, Robert Macfarlane, reminds us: “To be open to the world is an ethical – even political – stance, as well as an aesthetic one. At a time when borders are being reinforced, positions hardened, prejudices deepened, when walls are literally being built between communities and nation-states, openness becomes vital. These are some of the qualities celebrated by our rich, diverse programme. Now, more than ever, we must keep our minds and our mountains open.”
In addition to this year’s theme, KMF remains committed to protecting the environment. The festival has become an important platform in raising awareness and discussing the most pressing issues affecting the outdoor community today. Together with festival brand partner, Patagonia, audiences will have the opportunity to hear from leading environmentalists at the launch of Patagonia’s new online platform, Patagonia Action Works and watch a screening of the award-winning film ‘Artifishal’ followed by a panel discussion on the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them.
As always there is a vast programme of speakers: Dierdre Wolownick, who, inspired by her son Alex Honnold, became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan at the age of 66, will be speaking at the Kendal Mountain Literature Festival; climber Alex Megos will join the festival for the UK premiere of ‘Rotpunkt’ which documents the art of redpoint (ascending a sport climb without falling or resting, after previous attempts or practice); photographer Ben Tibbetts will share the stories behind his stunning images of beautiful alpine ascents; and lots more.
KMF will also be welcoming back favourites such as the ever-popular Trek Bike Night, the Mountain Equipment Alpinism Session, Petzl Underground Night and Berghaus Women in Adventure Night. Last year’s sell-out Harvey Maps Fell Running Session returns for a journey over fells, crags, bracken and bogs. Meanwhile, the lively and sell-out BMC Breakfast Club is being reinvented with a special Friday night slot – the new BMC TV Night Club.
All in all, KMF 2019 promises to be the biggest and most sociable outdoor gathering of the year and if you’re going do stop by and say hello to the Trek & Mountain team in the Basecamp Village.
The KMF 2019 trailer has just gone live and you can view the full programme and book tickets HERE.