350th anniversary of Great Fire of London to be marked with contemporary festival

Resurgence, resilience and the evolution of the City of London are some of the key themes explored in London’s Burning, a series of spectacular events produced by creative live events company Artichoke to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London and its aftermath, taking place 30th August-4th September 2016.

London’s Burning will bring the Square Mile and beyond to life with a series of art installations, performances and talks that will give a unique perspective on a significant moment in the country’s history. The programme takes in landmark locations across the city and includes an underwater performance-artwork at Broadgate, a domino-like sculpture that snakes through the city’s streets tracing the multiple paths of the fire, and a spectacular riverside finale.

Audiences are invited to rediscover the City of London and adjacent areas, its past and its future. London’s Burning offers an opportunity to contemplate the lasting impact the Fire had on the architecture, outlook and infrastructure of the City including some of its most iconic buildings and landmarks.

Helen Marriage, Director of Artichoke said: ‘The 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London gives us a rare and wonderful opportunity to work on a historic event, the impact of which was felt far beyond the City of London, throughout the UK and beyond. As always, learning and participation will be an important part of our work, with young people at the heart of this national commemoration of a major moment in our history.’

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘The Great Fire of London was one of the most important moments in the history of the capital. The range of fantastic events taking place around its 350th anniversary shows once again that London is open to visitors from around the world.’

With founding sponsorship from the City of London Corporation, an award from Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence programme and further support from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and a raft of sponsors and funders, London’s Burning is part of Great Fire 350, a Citywide season of cultural events marking this anniversary.

Pictured: From the handful of recorded deaths to the tens of thousands made homeless in 1666, 'Of All The People In All The World' by Stan’s Cafe will count the cost of the Fire in grains of rice comparing historical facts with contemporary moments. Located in the Inner Temple and watched over by the stern portraits of four of the Fire Judges appointed by the King to adjudicate on compensation claims after the Fire, this installation offers a remarkably compelling way to experience the impact of these dramatic events.