A celebration and exploration of music and culture from around the world

The Heart of the World festival comes to Cambridge this May, in a seven-day celebration of music and culture from around the world, with a particular focus on Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It returns following a hugely successful launch in 2006, and this year the festival is even bigger, offering you an assortment of fantastic events. Heart of the World reaches across the city centre and spreads into the far corners of Cambridgeshire, with events in venues that include The Junction, the Corn Exchange, The Elm Tree, The Hayward Theatre in Ely, the Michaelhouse Cafe, Swavesey Village College, St Paul’s Centre, the Guildhall, Emmanuel United Reform Church, and the Arts Picturehouse.

These venues will be hosting a week of festivities that includes live music performances featuring both local and international artists and boasting UK and world premier events, club nights, a specially created programme of film screenings, music and dance classes, plus a raft of free events – an art exhibition by local artist Deanna Tyson, and a family day and a food and craft fair, both at the city’s Guildhall.

The musicians taking part in Heart of the World are of outstanding quality and promise entertainment of the highest standard, and the variety of events you can participate in offer something for everyone. Cambridge looks forward to welcoming people for a week of fun and celebrations in the city and beyond.