Cultural union: Freedom, Pride & Sesh unite
STRONGER TOGETHER: From left, Mikey Martins from Freedom Festival, Andy Train from Pride in Hull, Elise Witty and Dave Mays from Humber Street Sesh
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Hull’s three major summer events are supporting each other this year to create a sense of unity across the city.
The collaboration between Freedom Festival, Pride in Hull and Humber Street Sesh aims to break down barriers, celebrate diversity and provide a platform for shared experiences.
Together, the three events attract approximately 130,000 people into the city centre, Humber Street and Hull Marina, with visitors contributing millions of pounds to the local economy.
The idea to unite comes from the desire to create a ‘one Hull’ festival season.
Freedom Festival, with its world-class cultural offerings, seeks not only to showcase the city’s artistic prowess, but also to shed light on crucial societal issues, such as coercive control and modern-day slavery.
Pride in Hull, which advocates the LGBTQI+ community, is placing particular emphasis on trans rights and issues this year, ensuring inclusivity and representation are at the forefront.
Humber Street Sesh, passionately dedicated to promoting and providing a festival platform for local musicians and bands, continues to be the heartbeat of Hull’s thriving music scene.
Mikey Martins, CEO and artistic director of Freedom Festival Arts Trust, said: “This union reinforces Hull’s commitment to inclusivity, creativity and community engagement.
“This summer in Hull, the city will witness a fusion of colours, sounds and stories, creating an atmosphere that mirrors the vibrant spirit of its residents.”
Andy Train, recently appointed chair of Pride in Hull, said: “Our collaboration is more than a mere alliance - it’s a harmonious celebration of diversity, culture and community.
“By sharing audiences, we can educate and inform a broader spectrum.”
Elise Witty, from Humber Street Sesh, added: “The longevity of our events speaks for itself. If you put it on, people in Hull will bring the atmosphere. While Sesh, Pride and Freedom are completely different, we can create awareness within each other’s communities to forge inclusion and a sense of togetherness.”
The three events are taking place on the following dates:
Pride in Hull: July 27
Humber Street Sesh: August 3
Freedom Festival: August 28 - September 1.