The Wild Conference happened on 4th and 5th July 2019 at Temple Newsam, Leeds (UK). It was also the first time it was going international. The organisers describe it as ‘an event for people who care how culture works’ and is for ‘… passionate people who want to listen, engage and share ideas and then leave the conference prepared to take responsibility for making positive change happen.’ While on her normal duties, the founder of Rusinga Cultural Festival, Anne Eboso, was nominated by the British Council to represent Kenya at the conference. As it is said, every experience has its uniqueness and learning points. She tells us about her experience.
The arts conference at the picturesque Temple Newsam in Leeds felt like more of a festival. Produced by Slung Low, the Wild Conference entailed a series of talks, presentations, activities, debates and discussions in a little tented village built around a camp fire. The activities ran concurrently with the talks happening simultaneously in different tents. All the delegates got headphones and Slung Low receivers that allowed them listen to the speakers from any space within the grounds as well as switch between any of the speakers at any point.
The relaxed format and environment was so stimulating for the rich conversations that centered on the theme “Thinking about the cultural future we are going to make together.” The theme accommodated conversations in arts and education, extremism, science, audience research, inclusion, human behavior and body language, and digital culture.
A culture of flexibility and freedom
Without a doubt, by just being in this space, you could tell the conference had been curated with a lot of care. It offered enormous flexibility and freedom, and to remove all doubt the following phrase was put at the back of the programme.
If something doesn’t work for you,
please make a change: change
channels, change seats, go for a,
wander, put another log on the fire
Because of the freedom to wander, there were sessions I followed while exploring the historic Temple Newsam house, and roamed sections of the stunning parkland, woodland and the lakeside gardens. I spotted other attendees follow the goings-on while lying on the colourful pillows in the domes or on the grass. I haven’t had such an experience before.
Campfire debates
One of my favourite sessions were the debates around the campfire. Another unique experience of cultures. Back home, a campfire setup is a stimulating space for stories and folktale performances. The outdoor cabaret around the bonfire marking the end of day one brought out the similarity.
The conversations here were worthwhile, a space for all voices to be heard. They were sessions for one to listen, question, wonder, engage and share. The space encouraged differing thoughts, new thoughts, and wild thoughts. On the first day, delegates debated on extremism, bringing out ideas I felt were more inclined to general expectations and hopes for the wild conference.
What would you expect from a debate drawing over 450 participants from four continents, from an array of fields such as medicine, education, politics, the military, charities, and other areas?
The big debate on day two focused on arts and education. Provoked by Erica Whyman, the discussions illuminated on pertinent matters such as; the education systems versus careers in arts; of stolen African artifacts in England’s museums; who decides what art is. In Kenya, we already have a challenge where the sciences are prioritized at the government level. The arts, which are unsurprisingly pursued by the majority, are systemically frustrated through underfunding and public discouragement. Those who manage to pursue successful arts careers are children of the political and economic elite.
From the discussions, it appears this general problem is replicated across many nations in Africa and beyond. Celebrating art and artists is a necessary act that affirms the necessity of art and culture in the society.
A learning experience
On day three the British Council delegation visited Slung Low’s office to reflect on the conference and to experience the Holbeck gala. It was an opportunity to learn and be inspired by the Alan and the Slung Low team which shared Wild Conference production process, key lessons, and the future. I was fascinated by the concept of no fixed ticket cost, to allow people pay what they could.
It was a chance for me to benchmark with what I do back home, to reaffirm that diversity matters as it fosters inclusion of otherwise muted voices, to connect with delegates from Africa and the other worlds with possibility for collaborations, and to share in the culture of the English people in Leeds.
I would urge any creative practitioner who gets the chance to attend the Wild Conference, to get inspired by other cultural leaders from around the world who are impacting their people through various cultural initiatives. It was a huge honour to represent Kenya.
Anne Eboso is the founder and producer of the annual Rusinga Cultural Festival that takes place every December at the picturesque Rusinga Island. She describes herself as a reading advocate, an arts lover and a cultural enthusiast has been on the forefront of promoting cultural diversity within the Kenyan cultural space. Rusinga Cultural Festival takes place every December.
