In late September 2022, Leeds buzzed with curiosity as the city’s Howard Assembly Room and Howard Opera Centre welcomed the Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI22). Over four energetic days (Sept 22–25), the festival celebrated interdisciplinary thinking, curiosity-driven conversations, and unexpected connections. It kicked off with a UK-exclusive performance by musician Jon Hopkins, setting a tone of creative exploration and immersive engagement.

The lineup spotlighted four exceptional keynote speakers, Yotam Ottolenghi, Aisling Bea, David Olusoga, and Mary Beard, who explored food, comedy, history, and culture. This was supported by six bold panel debates tackling topics from the metaverse to mental health, climate activism, social media, the social role of sport, and the boundaries of comedy. With content blending insight and accessibility, LIFI22 brought serious ideas to life with warmth, curiosity, and inclusive dialogue