Satellite events
Debating ideas beyond the festival weekend.
Our satellite events take the spirit of no-holds-barred debate across the UK and Europe. The topics we are covering include everything from abortion rights to the effect of identity politics on society, from artistic freedom to the future of Europe after Brexit.
Battle of Ideas Europe includes events in Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Dublin, Oslo, Porto, Stockholm, Warsaw and more. See our full listing here.
We also have UK satellite events, from Brighton to Glasgow. See our full listing here.
Battle Buzz 2016
Dr Anthony Daniels aka Theodore Dalrymple
psychiatrist; columnist; author, Spoilt Rotten: The toxic cult of sentimentality
The Battle of Ideas takes place over just one weekend, but the debates you hear, and the arguments you have, last for months afterwards. Nowhere else have I ever been so uncomfortable, so challenged and so engaged. From bolshy youngsters to well-trained academics, everyone is welcome to have their say - the outcome is truly electric.
Battle Buzz 2016
Professor Constantine Sandis
professor of philosophy, University of Hertfordshire
Nowhere else will you find such variety of important issues debated with the openness they deserve - the battles were epic!
Battle Buzz 2016
Lesley Curwen
award-winning journalist, broadcaster and writer, BBC
Beware, you might find yourself throwing long-held views out of the window in the heat of the Battle of Ideas. I have.
Battle Buzz 2016
Nick Cater
executive director, Menzies Research Centre, Australia; columnist, The Australian
Those who enjoy the comfort of conventional wisdom will find the Battle of Ideas a very unsafe space.
Battle Buzz 2016
Sir Nicholas Kenyon
managing director, Barbican Centre; presenter, BBC Radio 4’s Cities From The Ashes; former director, BBC Proms
The Battle of Ideas is a fantastic meeting place for public debate, intelligent interaction, and powerful ideas. It brought a real buzz to the Barbican in 2016, and at a time of profound national debate we greatly look forward to working together on the next event in 2017.
