LENTFEST F.A.Q.
We’ve tried to answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions about our annual faith-based arts festival but if you have any more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 0141 554 1333 or lentfest@agap.org.uk
To download a PDF version of this page, click here.
What is Lentfest?
Lentfest is an annual community-based festival of drama, music, film, visual and literary art, inspired by the Gospel, encouraging people of all backgrounds to think about the Christian faith through the arts. It is organised by AGAP (the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project) and events span the Greater Glasgow area served by the Archdiocese.
When is Lentfest 2011?
Lentfest takes place during the liturgical season of Lent, which precedes Easter. This year, Lent is from Ash Wednesday on 9th March and Easter is on 24th April. However, this year, there will be a special extended programme of events from 24th April – 7th May to mark the reopening of the newly-renovated St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral on Clyde Street.
What is the theme for 2011?
The theme of Lentfest 2011 is “One Family” and it follows the legacy of the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom, in which the Pope highlighted the important social role of religion in culture, safeguarding human rights and working for the dignity and common good of everyone in our human family: “Religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister.” (Homily at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, 16th September 2010.)
Where do events take place?
Events take place across the geographical area which is served by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow. This area is divided into nine deaneries which, in addition to central Glasgow, include areas such as Cumbernauld in the East, Clydebank in the West, and Castlemilk in the South. Usually, these events take place in property owned by the Archdiocese (halls and churches) but there are sometimes events in secular venues too and in buildings owned by other religious denominations. Events usually take place at community level to ensure accessibility and affordability.
How is it publicised?
Since 2008, Lentfest has been publicised through an extensive poster and brochure campaign. Around 30,000 full colour Lentfest festival guides are printed, providing details of all the events in the programme. These are distributed via public information stands in cultural venues, train stations, supermarkets and cafes, and are sent, along with A3 posters, to nearly 100 Catholic parishes and over 20 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Glasgow as well as to the Church of Scotland Presbytery and the Episcopalian community. In the past, we have advertised on bus sides and currently have a large poster campaign planned for train station platforms across Glasgow and the surrounding area. Many people have also heard about Lentfest through the coverage which has appeared on BBC and STV news and in the press.
How is it funded?
Due to the faith-based ethos of the festival, it is difficult for it to secure public funding, so Lentfest is funded through ticket sales, donations from private business sponsors and core funding from Faith Into Action, a charitable action plan founded by the Archbishop of Glasgow, + Mario Conti. All donations to Lentfest are gratefully received by AGAP and should be made payable to “Archdiocese of Glasgow”, a charity registered in Scotland No: SCO18140 and sent to AGAP, St Michael’s, 1350 Gallowgate, Glasgow G31 4DJ.
Isn’t Lent a penitential season. Why have a festival?
It is true that Lent is a penitential season in the liturgical calendar and, in past generations, the Catholic Church discouraged the faithful from attending entertainment events during the season, in the interest of self-denial and spiritual discipline. Today, the Church continues to encourage spiritual discipline through prayer, fasting and almsgiving but the Gospel emphasises that these things should be “done in secret”. Lentfest should not be misconstrued as a vehicle which supplants the traditional practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving but should be understood as a further way in which people can engage with the Christian faith through the arts. Thus, Lentfest engages with the joyful witness called for by Jesus in the Gospel, which is read on Ash Wednesday: “When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.” (Matthew 6:16)
Furthermore, Lent is a time which is about people turning back to God. Lentfest aims to encourage people of all backgrounds and faith perspectives to take stock of their relationship with God and provides opportunities for reflection and rededication of our talents to the Creator. The Easter Triduum, which concludes the season of Lent, is the pinnacle of the Christian calendar and it is appropriate that we should invite as many as possible to have an awareness of this great feast by providing a programme which points towards it.
Is Lentfest suitable for non-Catholics and non-Christians?
There is no denying that the majority of the audience base for Lentfest is Roman Catholic. However, Lentfest is growing in popularity among Christians of other denominations and an increasing number of non-Catholics attend events. There is greater interest in participation by other churches. In the past, Lentfest has attracted performers from various faith backgrounds, including Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Christians from various Protestant traditions, including Church of Scotland, Episcopalian, and independent evangelical churches. Events have been attended and enjoyed by people of no particular faith background and we aim to provide a quality programme of entertainment and events, albeit within the constraints of working at community level.
How do I propose an event for Lentfest?
Anyone is welcome to propose an event for Lentfest but it is helpful if they do so with a plan for its organisation. In other words, if you have a band or a choir or a group that would like to take part, you should approach the organisers with a suggested programme, with a note of your availability during the festival dates and having thought about who/what might be involved and how the event would fit with the ethos of Lentfest. Please see the separate sheet: “Guidelines for performers/artists/groups participating in Lentfest”.
I would like to volunteer to help with Lentfest. How do I do that?
There are many ways to be involved in Lentfest. These include everything from performing to assisting with the collection of ticket money or arranging hospitality at Lentfest events. To enquire about volunteering, please contact: lentfest@agap.org.uk or telephone: 0141 554 1333.
How do I buy tickets for Lentfest?
Tickets are generally sold through the Lentfest ticket office at AGAP, however, individual events might offer alternative ways to buy tickets. The office is open for ticket collection on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am – 4pm at St Michael’s, 1350 Gallowgate, G31 4DJ
Tickets can be reserved by contacting 0141 554 1333 or lentfest@agap.org.uk and leaving details or by filling in the ticket order form on our website. Unfortunately we cannot accept payment by credit or debit card.
It is also possible to pay at the door for most events but the organisers do not accept responsibility for non-admittance due to over-subscription, in the interests of health and safety.