A Matter of Life and Death Festival in Birmingham

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Tue 03 May 2022 - Fri 06 May 2022

A Birmingham festival is urging people 'Let's Talk' with a series of events themed around death and dying. Organised by BrumYODO, a community interest company dedicated to encouraging open and honest conversation about death, dying and grief, the A Matter of Life and Death Festival features events offering informal and safe spaces for discussion.

Taking place during the national Dying Matters Awareness Week of May 2-7, BrumYODO is working with museums, community centres, cafés and a natural burial ground to host the festival.



The week features a number of Death Cafés, free events at which people gather for informal chats around subjects linked to death and dying. These are scheduled to take place at Soho House Museum in Handsworth on May 3 between 11am-12.30pm, Galanos House Community Hub in Southam on May 5 between 2.30-4pm, Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground in Warwickshire on May 5 between 6-7.30pm and Bearwood Community Hub on May 6 between 12-1.15pm.

Tell it To the Bees at Moseley Hive sees local storyteller Pyn Stockman sharing the tale of the Bee Charmer, a story of loss and belonging. Beginning at 6pm on May 4, it is followed by an optional Death Café.

Death Over Drinks at the Anjuna Lounge in Stirchley on May 5 between 6.30-8pm is a discussion alongside Indian street food and drinks. And on May 7, between 1-3pm, the BrumYODO team pair up with Weoley Castle for Death in the Middle Ages, a tour of the castle grounds and exploration of commemorations carried out hundreds of years ago.

Now in its sixth year, A Matter of Life and Death Festival uses cultural and arts events as a springboard to explore issues around death and dying. Previous festivals have included theatre, dance, art and photography exhibitions, creative workshops, films and walking tours. Last year, BrumYODO partnered with Birmingham Hippodrome to bring Luke Jerram's art installation In Memoriam to Aston Park.



BrumYODO chair Anna Lock said: "A Matter of Life and Death is now firmly established in Birmingham's festival calendar and this year it feels more important than ever. COVID-19 has led many of us to re-think our attitudes towards death and dying and the need to talk to our loved ones about these subjects. At BrumYODO we believe that honest and open conversation about death and dying not only helps us to understand the choices our loved ones make but also encourages society as a whole not to shy away from what is, after all, an inevitable part of life."

And she added: "This year's festival comes just two months after Birmingham was officially designated the UK's first Compassionate City and we are pleased that our events help secure Birmingham's place as a city where we support each other through the most difficult of times."

All of this year's A Matter of Life and Death events are free although there may be costs for refreshments. Places need to be booked in advance, for more information and to book see https://brumyodo.org.uk/

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!date 03/05/2022 -- 06/05/2022
%wnbirmingham