Wednesday 7 September saw the launch of the Hostry Festival 2022. As a proud sponsor of the festival, Norwich School is hosting a number of events including Paint out Artist in Profile in the Crypt and the Kanneh-Mason Classical Gala Concert in the Blake Studio. Read on to find out more about the event and the festival that will run from 21 October to 6 November.  

Now in its 11th year, The Hostry Festival, also known as the Autumn Festival of Norfolk, is a not-for-profit, community interest project which has commissioned over 100 unique performances and projects over the past 10 years.  

The launch was a packed affair, with a great buzz of excitement as we gathered in the stunning Weston Room for an evening of prosecco, Booja-Booja chocolate truffles and mingling. The festival, needing to raise an extra £10,000 to cover the extra running costs this year, also ran a raffle and traditional fairground games such as tombola.  

There were speeches from dignitaries including Canon Peter Doll, Acting Dean of Norwich Cathedral; Caroline Jarrold; The Lord Mayor; Steffan Griffiths and Bishop Graham, all of whom praised the festival’s ongoing success and growth over the last decade.  

This year, the festival will run from the 21 October to 6 November and is bigger and better than ever, expanding out beyond the space of the Hostry and further into Norwich and Norfolk more broadly. Many of the events this year will be held in Norwich School buildings around the Close, including the Crypt Gallery and the Blake Studio.  

The Hostry Festival will feature some of Norfolk and the UK’s best loved authors and artists as well as drama and music performances. The African Choir of Norfolk, established under the umbrella of the festival, performed at the launch night and wowed the audience with their enthusiasm and beautiful melodies. They describe themselves as “ambassadors for their culture” and sing songs from North, South, East and West Africa. This unique choir will be performing at the festival on Saturday 22 October. The central production of the festival this year is ‘Ring Round the Moon,’ a fairy tale romantic comedy.  

To find out more about other events and performances at the festival, download the 2022 brochure here: https://hostryfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HOSTRY-FESTIVAL-GUIDE-2.8.22-x.pdf