It is fitting that London Bridge should be one of the four Hub areas examining the theme of IDENTITY when the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) returns this June.
It is an area of many personas. You’ll find it written into history as a part of Bermondsey, Borough, the City of London, Southwark and Surrey. At different times it has been a port, a railway interchange, a place for debauchery and the scene of conflict. It has been the home of breweries, leather traders, of government and global businesses as well as artists and creators. Today it boasts world-famous buildings and is a main stage for the capital’s cultural offerings.
In partnership with Team London Bridge, the LFA is compiling a packed programme of events and activities that will explore, illustrate and interpret the identity of London Bridge throughout June. Walks, tours, exhibitions, performances and installations will celebrate our architectural blockbusters such as City Hall, the Shard and Tower Bridge, but will also investigate influences that have shaped the area in less conspicuous ways.
Team London Bridge and its partners will be using the London Bridge Culture Strategy as a framework to stage activities across the area. Among the events already confirmed are five walks curated by the Museum of Walking in which we are inviting residents and workers in the area to build a collective memory. On 5, 12, 19, 20 and 26 June you can join our social historians with specialist knowledge of the area to observe the surroundings, to share stories, recall memories and think creatively about the future of the area. More details here.
The London Festival of Architecture runs 1-30 June. The full programme for LFA18 will be launched at The View from The Shard, 2 May. Listings will be available at atlondonbridge.com and londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
London Bridge organisations still wishing to be involved in the LFA this year should contact Rosa rosa@londonfestivalofarchitecture.org to discuss opportunities and see how they might fit into the programme.