The 10th annual Falmouth University Fal River Festival has announced its full line-up, revealing a programme packed with diverse and entertaining events in celebration of the area’s cultural and natural riches.
Anna Druce, the festival’s Creative Director, explained the thinking behind the impressive programme: “Everything is tied to the river and how it shapes our lives; creatively and physically.” She added: “The Fal River defines the landscape and how we travel, it inspires our artists, helps shape our food culture and motivates us to live active, outdoor lives; the festival is our way of celebrating all of that.”
An undisputed highlight will for film fans will be the award-winning Film On The Fal Season which returns to share spectacular films in a spectacular setting. Past nautical themed screenings have included Master And Commander, The Posiden Adventure and Lake Placid.
Another star-studded performance of a different nature will be held at Trelissick National Trust Gardens on the 29th May from 9pm, where Cornwall Astronomy Society will have a range of telescopes set up for observing the night sky. At the head of the Fal estuary, Trelissick is a great spot for star gazing; amateurs can expect to see the many craters of the moon, the rings of Saturn, star clusters, nebulae and constellations.
If you enjoyed Thor and Avengers: Age Of Ultron (and who didn’t) then The Fal also offers would-be heroes the chance to unleash their inner Norse god during ‘Thor’ themed activity days as part of their major Viking season – which includes storytelling and craft sessions.
Falmouth Art Gallery and The Poly will also get stuck in with exhibitions and films planned as part of the festival, while artists along the breadth of the river will be throwing open their doors for the annual Open Studios event.
Through out the Festival, there will also be plenty of opportunities to actively explore the river – through sailing, navigation challenges, swimming, canoeing, walking and diving.
The Festival will launch with the Annual Beer Fleet Sail on the 22nd May, and is brought to a close by a Mardi Gras themed street party on the 31st May organized by students from Falmouth University.
To find out more about the festival visit www.falriver.co.uk/festival
