National Glass Centre

Bede & Beijing is a unique festival that explores themes common to Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and Chinese culture. It includes events, installations, concerts and exhibitions, some of which continue until September.

Bede & Beijing takes place at Bede’s World, the National Glass Centre, Monkwearmouth Station Museum, St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.

All venues are partners in the Wearmouth-Jarrow Candidate World Heritage Bid, together with Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council, English Heritage and One NorthEast.

The Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrrow was home to the great scholar, Bede. It was a European powerhouse of learning and creativity in the eighth century AD, and will be nominated for World Heritage Status in 2010. This festival highlights its achievements and the world-wide connections that can be made between it and other cultures.

Bede and Beijing forms part of North East England’s world-class festivals and events programme as part of East 08 and is funded by One NorthEast.

Photo: Colin Davison