Featuring world-class speakers, exhibitions, music, guided walks, family-friendly activities and much more, York Festival of Ideas offers a huge range of stimulating and diverse events for all ages and interests. Events usually take place at venues throughout the city, but for 2021 the Festival of Ideas is being brought to life online.

The full programme of events is available here or head to the Festival of Ideas website for more details. Below you can find events which feature York Minster.

She-Energy: Women as creators
Mon 7 June, 6.30pm to 8.15pm

The Festival of Idea’s launch event, filmed in York Minster, brings together a dazzling array of international musicians, writers and poets to celebrate the energy and empathy of women’s creativity. The centre-piece is a specially commissioned performance by acclaimed violinist and composer Anna Phoebe, signifying a symbol of hope as nations start to consider the implications of a post Covid world. Click here to book your free ticket.

Science, Religion and Humanity: Who gets to say?
Nick Spencer and Vicky Johnson (Chair)
Wednesday 9 June 2021, 8pm to 9pm

How have, do and can Science and Religion relate to one another? Nick Spencer of the think tank Theos explores centuries of complex and colourful interaction between the two.
The event will include an in-conversation segment with Vicky Johnson, Canon Precentor at York Minster, as well as an opportunity to ask your own questions. Click here to book your free ticket.

Human Dignity: Without meaning or meaningful?
Peter Collier and Vicky Johnson (Chair)
Monday 14 June 2021, 8pm to 9pm

Since the end of World War II, human dignity has been said to be a firm foundation on which our rights and freedoms can be built. But where did the idea come from, and how is it holding up in the 21st century? Join Peter Collier QC as he asks the question: Is human dignity merely a meaningless shibboleth or the ground for my meaning? Click here to book your free ticket.

Holiness and Desire: What makes us who we are?
Jessica Martin and Vicky Johnson (Chair)
Thursday 17 June 2021, 8pm to 9pm

Drawing on sources from the Bible to literature and social media, author Jessica Martin considers what a distinctive holiness might look like within the distorting pressures of our highly sexualised modern culture.
The event will include an in-conversation segment with Vicky Johnson, Canon Precentor at York Minster, as well as an opportunity to ask your own questions. Click here to book your free ticket.