Conway Hall Ethical Society presents:
A celebration of humanism, secularism, atheism and the ethical movement past and present.
Join us for a weekend of activities, exploring the fascinating stories of freethought movement – the activists, authors and artists who asked the big questions about who should have the power to shape our society.
Down With The Crown? Graham Smith in conversation with Jenny Kleeman
The first ever Freethought History Festival opens with a keynote event exploring the highest power in the land: the Monarchy. Joining us are Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, Britain’s leading anti-monarchy campaigning organisation, and Jenny Kleeman, journalist, author, and broadcaster. They will discuss the past and present of republicanism in the UK, and why freedom from the crown is a key component of the freethought movement.
Graham Smith is CEO of Republic, Britain’s leading anti-monarchy campaigning organisation. His activist work, promoting the abolition of the monarchy and the introduction of an elected head of state, has been widely publicised, including his arrest and wrongful detention after protesting at the coronation of King Charles III. His recent book Abolish The Monarchy was described by Owen Jones, author of The Establishment, as ‘a crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built – democracy itself.’
Jenny Kleeman is a journalist, author and broadcaster. She has reported for BBC One’s Panorama, HBO’s Vice News Tonight and Channel 4’s Dispatches, as well as making 13 films from across the globe for Channel 4’s Unreported World. Her long form writing appears regularly in the Guardian, the Sunday Times, the Times, the New Statesman and Tortoise.
The Freethought History Festival is supported by The Freethinker
Age Recommendation:
14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: *All ticket prices below include a £1 booking fee applied at checkout*
FRIDAY ONLY • Standard £18 • Living Support £12 • Student £12
SATURDAY DAY ONLY • Standard £25 • Living Support £16 • Student £16
WEEKEND TICKET • Standard £33 • Living Support £21 • Student £21
Access Information
Due to the age and Grade II listing of the building, there is no lift access to rooms above the ground floor.
All the ground-floor rooms are fully accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.
Events you may also be interested in