Hackney History Festival

Discover Hackney's fascinating past at this history festival, which is packed with talks, walks and live events that'll have you looking at the borough in a whole new light. Things kick off on Saturday May 9 at Hackney Archives, with a day of interactive activities, talks and a singalong inspired by the venue’s collection. Sunday May 10 is a takeover of local National Trust property Sutton House, with more than 20 talks covering topics like birdkeeping, John Berger, globalisation and big money, public baths and squatters. 

The following Saturday, it’s the Round House’s turn. There, talks will spotlight suffragettes, ghost shop signs, the borough’s geology and the hidden histories of Sylheti lascars in Hackney. Finally, the fest will conclude at Chats Palace on Sunday May 17. Panels that day will cover the 1978 Rock Against Racism, secrets from Savoy Cinema and how Turkish and Kurdish women have helped shape the area. It’ll all round off with a pub quiz to test your new-found Hackney knowledge.