New festival launched to change image of Hillsborough
People living in Hillsborough are hoping to change how people the see the area by launching a new festival there. They say most people think of the football disaster when they hear the name and - although they don't want to forget about what happened - they also want to showcase what the area has to offer. 'Hillsfest' will be free and will take place on 9-10 July.
A fundraising campaign is now underway to help pay for it.
Artist and local gallery owner, Karen Sherwood, is the festiva's director:
“Most people felt that others thought the word ‘Hillsborough’ meant one thing – the terrible football disaster of 1989 – and wanted an event to put the area on the map for all the right reasons," she says.
“That does not mean that day, or those affected by it, will be forgotten. It, as with other tragedies, is part of Hillsborough and so we are linking up with artists from Liverpool for HillsFest.
"We want to try and raise as much as possible to make HillsFest a success for the community and S6 postcode area and restore some pride to Hillsborough."
Deborah Egan OBE, Director of local artspace DINA, said: “HillsFest is exactly the kind of initiative we should be celebrating and promoting in Sheffield.
“At a time when the arts are being cut from so many budgets, it’s inspiring to see this enterprising DIY spirit bravely flourishing – bringing arts and music directly into communities.”
You can find more information about how to get involved here.