The Philosophy Now Festival 2020

The century-old doors exploded inwards as Rick and I, laden with crates and rolls of paper, pushed into the eccentric Art Deco building.

- Anja Steinbauer

Conway Hall, so familiar from many weird and wonderful philosophy gatherings, was awaiting us in all its solemn charm. The ideal setting for an event that was equally eccentric but also definitely aspiring to awesomeness.

It was the fifth Philosophy Now Festival. In only an hour people would be streaming in. I’ve organised philosophy events for more than twenty years now, but there is always this uncertainty just before it happens: Is it going to be a disaster? Have we forgotten something vital?

Fast forward three hours, and there could be no doubt that worries were unfounded. Even the early morning events had been well attended, the discussions lively and productive. Now all the talks, debates and workshops were packed; the audience were energised, engaged and, as all of us, gripped by the excitement of the day. An edifying discussion of the pros and cons of New Year resolutions was followed by two events on theatre and philosophy, including a Hamlet performance by young actor Marcel and a presentation by the man who literally wrote the book on theatre and philosophy, Tom Stern.