THE CURATOR of a festival that celebrates the more mercurial side of life has reflected on how events have unfolded as it enters its final month.

On December 21 last year, Outrider Anthems unveiled Festival of the Dark. Or more accurately, cast a veil of blackness over the assembled crowd at the Olympia Ballroom, who sat contemplatively on the floor as spoken words pieces were performed in front of them.

An evening walk and fireside chat in Clayfield Copse and church based talks on hidden ideas were two of the 20 events that followed the shortest day of the year, all pursuing the notion that within the darkness lies pleasant mysteries.

“I thought it was going to fit much more into the arts calendar, but it has been adopted by an alternative crowd,” explains Jennifer Leach, director of Outrider Anthems.

“It appears that there are certain people that feel constrained by the more mainstream side of Reading. It feels as if we have been able to give an expressive voice to people who want to express themselves, but have not previously found the expressive vocabulary to do so.”

Part of this conversation came in the form of the Dazzle Festival, which saw St Johns and St Stephens Churches in east Reading co-host ten days of activities and talks.

It began with a reading of The Song of Crow, an alternative creation myth in which life unfolds out of darkness, followed by meditation, song and storytelling, film night, and talks from the likes of Kate Raworth, who spoke of her revolutionary Doughnut Economy which lays out a roadmap for bringing humanity into the sweetspot of consumerism and environmentalism.

“Then there was the Dazzle Festival,” Leach said.

“It was a series of ten days working with St Stephens and St Johns who have two very forward thinking vicars.

“We spent hours investigating different area, including same sex relationships in the Church of England.

“It was really challenging and food for thought.”

Only two events now remain.

On December 20, The Olympia Ballroom hosts the closing ceremony and on December 21, the shortest day of the year.

She added: “We are inviting everyone in Reading to turn off all mobiles, computer devices and lights, and to share a candlelit meal in their own homes.

“We wish to bring the town together in celebration of what is important - simplicity, community and the fragile beauty of our Earth.”

To find out more and for information as to how to get involved, go to www.outrideranthems.com