
Processions
Processions is one of the most interesting and unique projects taking place this year as part of the Festival Of Voice – though it should be noted it’s arriving as part of a nationwide mission by outdoor art specialists Artichoke and 14-18 NOW, the WWI centenary group, to bring women together from all over the UK in its four capitals Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, and London.
This year marks a century since some women were granted the vote: the Representation Of The People Act in 1918 gave women over the age of 30 who were either married or owned property the right to vote. Nevertheless, this still marked a huge step forward in enfranchisement amongst the British public, with millions of working-class men also included, though it took until 1928 for both women and men over the age of 21 to be able to vote.
To mark that historic moment in 1918, women across the country are encouraged to join in with Processions. Each march will be festooned with hues of purple, white and green, the colours of the suffragettes. The sisters of the UK, whether identifying as women or non-binary, are invited to join banner-making workshops and join together in a march celebrating the vote for women. Joining them in Cardiff will be figures including Dilys Price OBE (interviewed here) as well as award-winning journalist Carolyn Hitt and singer and actress Carys Eleri.
When asked about what she’s most excited about, as regards taking part in Processions, Eleri says, “Marching alongside modern women in Wales, [commemorating] our feisty, brave and loving female ancestors. Doing so on the streets of our beautiful city of Cardiff will be wonderful.”
Women’s rights have come a long way in 100 years – which, in the grand scheme of history, isn’t even exceptionally long. Yet the fight still carries on in this age of #MeToo and #TimesUp. Also taking part in Processions is former international footballer for Wales Laura McAllister, who added “It is all about power and access to power, so there is usually a backlash when things start to improve. Power is finite after all and is not given up easily by those who currently hold it. That’s why we need to drive feminism forward and keep up the momentum.” FEDOR TOT
Processions will start at Cardiff City Football stadium, assembling at 12:15pm, and finish at Bute Park, Sun 10 June. Admission: free. Info: www.processions.co.uk