Black Athena Festival

In spring 2026, Certain Blacks launches Black Athena Festival at Rich Mix and The Place. With a programme inspired by themes in Martin Bernal’s radical book Black Athena, published in 1987, the festival reflects on inherited cultural narratives and the importance of recognising difference within contemporary UK society. 

Featuring performance, sound and dance, Black Athena Festival features artists from the UK and beyond, fostering innovative international collaborations while presenting and platforming bold new work. 

Says Clive Lyttle, Certain Blacks Artistic Director: “Who decides what is considered culture? Is it contemporary ballet, dance, and music? Is it based on the ideas of ‘cultured’ men such as Shakespeare and the empires, kings and queens he wrote about? Or the themes of The Age Of Enlightenment that have been championed by Western civilisation? Black Athena challenges perceived ideas of culture. This festival presents work that highlights modern cultures and challenges norms.” 

Certain Blacks launches Black Athena Festival at Rich Mix on Friday March 13 and culminates at The Place on 17 and 18 April.

Listings

Black Athena Festival 2026

• Friday 13 March, 7:30 pm, Rich Mix – The Science of Dub featuring Tony T, Greg Hunter and Scientist £15/12
• Friday 13 March, 11 am – 4 pm, Rich Mix – The Science of Dub Workshop £30
• Saturday 14 March, 7:30 pm, Rich Mix – Graffiti Bodies XV by Dam Van Huynh, running time 90mins £15/12
• Wednesday 18 March, 7:30 pm, Rich Mix – STÙRM by Livia Kojo Alour, 60 min, £15/12
• Friday 20 March, 7:30 pm, Rich Mix – Waterside by Kininso Creative, 90 min, £15/12
• Saturday 21 March, 7:30 pm, Rich Mix – Rising Mirrors / Miroirs en ascension / Kitalatala ya ntombua. £15/12
• Friday 17 & 18 April, The Place – 7.30 RONiN by Yukiko Masui, 60 min £20/£16

Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA, https://richmix.org.uk/

The Place, 17 Duke's Road, London, WC1H 9PY https://theplace.org.uk