Land of Green Ginger

There once was a land that nobody believed existed. And every day people passed by it or around it or over it or through it, but never once saw it or felt it or heard it or knew any person or thing in it. Until, one day, the land revealed itself…

Throughout the year, Hull 2017’s ground-breaking community engagement project Land of Green Ginger transformed communities across the city into places of wonder, delight, magic and possibility.

Land of Green Ginger was presented in the form of a series of Acts of Wanton Wonder, united under an overarching narrative. The projects were developed and delivered with artists who worked both independently and in collaboration to bring new kinds of art and culture into the neighbourhoods outside the city centre.

Hull’s residents were invited to delve into the story, which began in April when it was reported in local media that a huge cache of crates stamped with the words ‘To Hull: From Land of Green Ginger’ had been discovered in a vault underneath the city. Fictional investigative organisation The Green Ginger Fellowship was called in to find out more and so they began investigating the contents of the crates.

Through their investigations, The Green Ginger Fellowship unearthed a whole host of strange objects, riddles and clues hinting each time to the heralding of a new Act of Wanton Wonder. With the help of their followers the organisation unravelled the clues and revealed details of each project as the year went on.

Over 1500 local people participated in Land of Green Ginger in a variety of roles including performing, hosting, stewarding and invigilating. Land of Green Ginger Unleashed alone was supported by an incredible 200 participants and nearly 900 hours of rehearsal.

Land of Green Ginger engaged with audiences of around 100,000 people across the year and throughout the city, inspiring imagination, connecting communities, and instilling pride in the places people live.

Hull 2017 Executive Producer Katy Fuller said:

‘We hope that that the story of the year when anything was possible and neighbourhoods became places of wild imagination will live on in the urban mythology of Hull forever.’

Land of Green Ginger was funded by Spirit of 2012, NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group and Arts Council England.

Act I – 7 Alleys

by Periplum
East Park

East Park was taken over with a fusion of music, fire, live performance and pyrotechnics, bringing an East Hull legend to life.

Act II – The Gold Nose of Green Ginger

by Joshua Sofaer
North Point Shopping Centre, Bransholme

After years lost in the mist of legend, The Gold Nose of Green Ginger was returned to Bransholme for a momentous residency at North Point Shopping Centre.

Act III – The Longhill Burn

by And Now:
Eastmount Playing Fields

Longhill At nightfall, the Longhill community gathered together for music, dancing, pyrotechnics and the lighting of a huge and beautiful bonfire.

Act IV – Re-Rediffusion’s Voice Park

by Aswarm
Pickering Park

Audiences played with the collective power of Hull’s voice, and helped Re-Rediffusion in their quest to find the elusive Essence de Voix…

Act V – Micropolis

by Davy and Kristin McGuire
Springhead Pumping Station

Inside Springhead Pumping Station we explored a bustling city in perfect miniature, built from all corners of ours.