The first Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) launched in September 2021, created by LeedsBID to position Leeds as a vibrant centre of thought and creativity. Over two weeks, LIFI21 spanned four venues, hosted 9 events, and welcomed 29 speakers, coming together to explore critical issues in a post-pandemic world – including loneliness, inequality, food futures, media, and sustainability. The programme featured an impressive mix of keynote talks and panel debates, bringing together leading voices like George Clarke, Katherine Ryan, Evan Davis, Gina Martin, and Grace Dent. With over 1,200 attendees, the festival’s launch marked a successful and inspiring experiment in public dialogue – and set the stage for future editions that continue to unite creative minds in the heart of Leeds.