Our Freedom Then and Now was an ambitious and heartfelt community arts project led by Alnwick Playhouse in partnership with My Life Productions. Created to mark 80 years since liberation at the end of the Second World War, the project brought together storytelling, music, visual art, live performance, and shared cultural traditions in a vibrant, multi‑day celebration. Its central aim was to explore what freedom meant in 1945, how it is experienced today, and how the lessons of the past continue to resonate across generations.

A major achievement of the project was the creation of an extensive oral history documentary, titled Freedom Then and Now: A Documentary Celebrating 80 Years of Liberation. Produced specially for the occasion, the film drew on interviews with 80 members of the community, representing a rich tapestry of lived and inherited memories. These conversations captured reflections on wartime experiences, post‑war rebuilding, personal notions of freedom, and the responsibilities of the present day. The resulting documentary stood as a collective portrait of the community’s relationship with liberation – honest, emotional, and deeply human.

The celebration itself expanded across the entire Playhouse for a takeover weekend, becoming a joyful and diverse arts festival. Music played a central role, with performances from The Playhouse Band, The Playhouse Choir, and a popular local ukulele band, all contributing uplifting and reflective pieces inspired by the theme of freedom. Their performances helped set a vibrant, communal tone that resonated with audiences of all ages.

Adding to the unique atmosphere, the Playhouse Kitchen was taken over by a local Ukrainian community group, who served authentic Ukrainian dishes throughout the weekend. Their contribution brought a meaningful international dimension to the event – an expression of solidarity, cultural pride, and shared understanding of the value of freedom. The food was warmly received and became one of the weekend’s standout elements.

Further activities included live body painting, where artists created striking visual interpretations of liberation in real time, offering audiences an engaging and dynamic art experience. The weekend also featured screenings of various locally produced films, culminating in the premiere of the documentary Freedom Then and Now, which drew a particularly enthusiastic response from attendees.

Overall, Our Freedom Then and Now succeeded not only as a commemoration of a historic milestone but also as a celebration of community creativity and unity. By blending storytelling, art, music, film, and cultural exchange, the project created a memorable and meaningful tribute to the enduring importance of freedom – past, present, and future.