The team behind Liverpool Biennial 2020 have confirmed that they have been forced to postpone the art festival as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.
Liverpool Biennial has been monitoring the situation around COVID-19 closely over recent weeks, and in light of ongoing developments, is now planning to postpone the 11th edition of the Liverpool Biennial to 2021. This has been an incredibly difficult decision, but it has been made with the firm belief that the wellbeing, health and safety of staff, artists, partners and guests must be prioritised above all else.
Postponing the event will enable Liverpool Biennial to deliver its programme as intended – ensuring that its core values and responsibilities to artists, educational partners and public are not compromised. In postponing The Stomach and the Port, Liverpool Biennial will have the space and capacity to approach the edition with solidarity and care for its colleagues, community and other cultural organisations.
Fatos Ustek, Director of Liverpool Biennial said: “Together, we are facing a crisis: a slowly evolving tragedy that will require strength, adaptation and endurance to overcome. In these unprecedented times, our connections are amplified. The Biennial edition we have been working to deliver concentrates on the interconnected nature of all things – there is no divide between nature and man, but rather an ecosystem where we host and are hosted by other species.
After attending to this situation on a local and global scale, listening to our artists, partners, supporters and our community, we have decided to postpone the 11th edition of the Liverpool Biennial to 2021. We believe that it is time for heightened care, reflection and solidarity. Culture and creativity are integral parts of our lives – that will not wither away. During these uncertain days, while we continue to develop this edition, we will be honouring our commitment to all those we work with and for in Liverpool and beyond.”
Fatos Ustek, Manuela Moscoso and all the team at Liverpool Biennial thank you for your continued support, cooperation and understanding in this difficult time. We look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming weeks.