WOMEN from across Oxfordshire are invited to take part in a festival celebrating all things female.

The Oxford International Women’s Festival, which takes place in March, has been running for 22 years but for the first time this year, organisers are putting on a “sister” festival.

From Friday to Sunday, people will be offered a taste of the breadth and scope of the main women’s festival, which attracts up to 6,000 people each year.

Chairman and festival co-ordinator Debbie Hollings-worth said: “A few of us were very conscious that the festival appeared to die a death during the year.

“Although we were very busy, to the outside world, it sort of disappeared.

“Outside those two weeks every March, nothing was heard of us all year.”

So to increase the visibility of the festival and get new people on board, the idea of a fringe festival was born.

It will start with an evening of poetry and live music at East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street, on Friday at 7pm.

Organiser Anna Hobson, 31, from Osney Island, said: “I’m looking forward to showcasing local talent because there are so many talented women in this city.”

Ms Hollingsworth will lead a session celebrating women, which will include information about inspirational Oxford women past and present, at St Aldate’s Parish Centre, St Aldate’s, on Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. A feminist burlesque collective will present songs, dancing and Victoriana drag for an event called Lashings of Ginger Beer Time, at 7.15pm at the centre.

Events on Sunday include a screening of Act of Dishonour at Film Oxford, Catherine Street, at 7.30pm.

Ms Hollingsworth said: “I am really excited about what we’ve got going on and it has been a real buzz putting it together.

“We are hoping to get some younger women involved, and we have already got some who are really keen to come along.”

It costs about £7,000 to £8,000 each year to put on the festival, with money coming from grants and fundraising.

All events at the fringe festival are open to men and women, who will also be invited to perform work about women or by women.

Ms Hollingsworth said: “Anything where women are vocalising themselves and learning about themselves has to be a feminist event.

“Unfortunately, you say ‘feminist’ and a lot of people will run a mile, so we are doing it in a way that is celebrating women.”

The programme is already being put together for the main festival, which runs from March 2-12, next year.

  • For more information, visit oxfordwomen.co.uk