Voice of London

Brent has claimed the title of the London Borough of Culture this year. The initiative seeks to tell the story of Brent, Its people, culture and creativity. 

Having won the London borough of culture award, an initiative by the Mayor to embrace culture in local communities, Brent began this year by holding a variety of events that displayed the heart and soul of the borough.

Brent 2020 proudly says: “We’re here to tell the tales, trace the stories and raise the voices of all those who are proud to call our borough home – radicals and rebels, strivers and thrivers, from those born here to those who’ve chosen to make their homes among us.”

Placed in the heart of North-West London Brent is the most diverse London borough. According to the Brent 2020 website, in Brent you’ll find, “the largest Hindu temple outside India, the biggest reggae record label outside the Caribbean and the largest Irish population in Europe outside Ireland.”

The year would have seen a Kilburn High street party and SSE arena concert to celebrate the year, both of which were sadly cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A statement by Brent 2020 expressed: “We are disappointed that we are not able to proceed with some events that were planned for large-scale gatherings of the public, but the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, artists and public, has to be our primary concern.”

Brent 2020’s events have now been taken to the online sphere, with reggae festivals, artist networks, a video interview series and a weekly podcast all planned to stream until the end of the year. The borough has proved that even in a pandemic, the creativity of Brent has no bounds.

The year is almost at its end, but Brent 2020 is not yet over. Events run until the end of the year and it’s not too late to get involved.

• Catch up on the #NoBassLikeHome festival

• Indoor installations under Brent Biennial are now closed until the 7 December, and the art has taken to the street. Beat the lockdown blues by getting out the house to see home great street art all across Brent.

• Thursday 26 November, Brent 2020 is holding an online discussion about reggae, garage and grime. You can register for free here

• Listen to Brent’s new Podcast in collaboration with Vice

• Test your knowledge on Brent here

• Educators in Brent are invited to write a book together on the 1 December. Individuals will come together to complete the book in only an hour as a way of bringing the year to a close. And you’ll receive a copy to start off 2021 on a positive and uplifting note.

Want to know more about Brent 2020? Watch the Brent 2020 programme trailer:

Words: Leah Trimmer | Subbing: Chloe Rose