For latest news on the festivities click here >
For a free brochure e.festivities@pgs.org.uk or t. 023 9268 1390.
2006 Portsmouth Festivities
The 2006 Portsmouth Festivities celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the City's most famous sons, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Born in Portsmouth on 9 April 1806, and baptized in the same font as Charles Dickens, Brunel is considered to be one of the most important figures of 19th-century Britain, a man whose ground-breaking achievements in all aspects of engineering earned him a reputation as one of the greatest of Great Britons, voted second only to Winston Churchill in a nationwide BBC poll.
A hugely successful nine-day programme of events celebrated the man and explored not only his great achievements, but also his artistic interests and other aspects of his personal life.
Brunel the Local boy - Ray Riley Talk on Marc Brunel and tour of the Block Mills at the Historic Dockyard
Brunel the Man - 'Profane Steam & Speed' with Timothy West at the New Theatre Royal
Brunel the Engineer - Adam Hart Davis talks on 'Brunel and his Rivals'
Brunel the Collector & Inspirer - Victorian Prints Exhibition at No 10 High Street
Jon Stallworthy - Poetry evening
Brunel the Musician - London Mozart Players / Tasmin Little at Portsmouth Cathedral
Brunel's educational legacy - HMS Warrior project
Events took place in some of the City's most interesting and unique venues including the Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth Cathedral, and the New Theatre Royal.
International musicians Evelyn Glennie, the Endellion String Quartet and Clifford Benson performed and worked with young people in Portsmouth. Concert programmes featured music by Brunel's friend the composer Felix Mendelssohn and a new work, written especially for the 2006 Festivities, Rain Steam & Speed by Cecilia McDowell was give its world premiere by the London Mozart Players.
Other events showcased some of the best local musicians. Jazz, film, exhibitions, children's events, education projects, model boats, and more, completed a spectacular nine days.
