WOW Hull
WOW Hull took place from 10-12 March 2017 as part of the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations. The festival was woven throughout Hull’s historic venues, including Hull City Council, Hull Libraries, the Ferens Art Gallery, City Hall, Hull Truck Theatre, the Guildhall, the Albemarle Music Centre, Kingston Art Group Gallery and Humber Street Gallery.
WOW Hull highlighted trailblazing women from the city’s past and present, including the story of “Battling Barbara” Buttrick, Hull’s legendary 1950s world boxing champion, whose legacy set the tone for a festival of strength, defiance and celebration.
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The programme featured keynote appearances from actress Maxine Peake, filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, and broadcaster Gemma Cairney, who rolled into town in her eye-catching yellow bus. It also offered grassroots workshops, mentoring, poetry, theatre, dance, and youth-focused sessions.
WOW Hull created spaces where issues such as body image, youth empowerment and education were discussed alongside music, humour and creative making. Local leaders and changemakers took to stages across the city to share their stories and connect with wider movements for equality.
The festival celebrated Hull’s cultural richness while honouring the strength and potential of women and girls at every level of society.
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About the organisers
WOW Hull was part of Hull City of Culture 2017.
Hull UK City of Culture 2017 was a designation given to the city of Kingston upon Hull by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The organisers of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 are now Absolutely Cultured, a charity working to enhance the arts and cultural offer in the city and region, for the benefit of Hull.
