Inspired by the Castellars of Barcelona, the Albany worked with students from the National Centre for Circus Arts to create a celebration of balance, resilience and community spirit.

Following workshops with local secondary school students exploring what freedom means to young people in Deptford today, the Albany hosted a community celebration during October Half Term.

Shoulders of Giants was a joyful afternoon of creativity, performance and play for local people in Deptford. The day included a chance to try out circus skills and watch a moving performance from the NCCA students; a community feast of pie and mash; and a workshop led by Albany Associate Artists Sue and Chuck.

Sue and Chuck led a craft session creating flags and badges exploring themes of community, love, freedom and togetherness. Participants shared their inspiration behind making their flags and badges, and what community means to them, in a collaborative film which was screened at the end of the day.

The event celebrated both the people and moments that give us strength, and spoke powerfully to both the history and the future of freedom.