University sponsoring children's parade

Professor Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor, said: “The parade is a real high point of the year in the city and it is always a great way to start the Festival.

“I am absolutely delighted the university will once again be sponsoring this wonderful and joyous event that does so much to bring the whole community together and is enjoyed by everyone, young and old.”

Brighton Festival has announced the theme for next May’s parade – folk tales of the world.

Schools from across the region will be allocated a folk tale, chosen to reflect the diversity of artists taking part in the Festival. The stories will be studied and explored by teachers and pupils before being presented in costume, music and carnival structures by around 5,000 children and community groups.

Pippa Smith, Brighton Festival’s Children & Family programmer, said: “Folk tales are typically stories that are passed down from generation to generation and are often linked to childhood memories, when parents or grandparents would tell them at bedtime.

“There are so many fascinating folk tales to explore, from the Anansi tales of West Africa to European tales by Hans Christian Andersen or the Brothers Grimm. We can’t wait to see the wildly imaginative creations that participating schools and community groups will present.”

Jointly produced with award-winning community arts organisation Same Sky and sponsored by the university for the second year, the annual parade will take place on Saturday 4 May, 2019.

Brighton Festival will run until 26 May, with the full programme being announced early 2019.