The spirit of SOUL PRIDE

Cliff Joannou journeys to Berkshire for Soul Pride, a new festival that is asking us to dive into the mind and body to rediscover what it means to be proud and LGBTQ+ today

- Cliff Joannou

My journey towards finding a balance between a manic career and busy personal life has often seen me wrestle with anxiety-riddled moments of self-doubt or work through groggy comedowns after heavy weekends spent trying to be too much to too many people. If lockdown taught me anything, it's that I don't give enough time to myself, having over the years filled my diary with endless distractions. It's a work in progress, but I'm figuring out how to be still and live in the moment.

When I was invited to the inaugural Soul Pride festival, it seemed like my very big gay world had finally found alignment with my newly enlightened self. Billed as an “inclusive, queer, conscious retreat-festival" for "nurturing mind, body and soul", it takes place at the edge of the woods in Wasing Park Estate, nestled in the rolling hills of Berkshire. We arrive and cross a bridge over a gentle flowing stream, passing beneath rainbow-bright dreamcatchers hanging from the trees.

We're greeted by the beaming smile of Soul Pride co-founder Chris Fitchew, a man not shy of the spotlight having carved his early career in comedy, but who - alongside co-founder and friend Jess Bouman - now finds himself channelling that joy through events, from literary festivals to spiritual retreats. We wander through the woodland and beside the lake. On the jetty, a yoga session is currently in progress.