A collection of national events held in the British
summer of
1951. Opened by
King George, the festival was meant to raise
Britain's spirits as it recovered from the
Second World War, at a time when
austerity was still rampant, the
welfare state was coming into play and the
Empire was soon to disappear. In some respects it marked the beginning of post-war prosperity.
The festival was centred in London with a large exhibition park at South Bank, and more recreational activites at the Pleasure Gardens at Battersea. A touring exhibition brought the festivals to other parts of the country - there were events focussing on art, music and drama in specific towns like Stratford on Avon.
Exhibits demonstrated the country's industrial and cultural achievements, under a banner of progressivenationhood. References to Britishness - like the Lion and Unicorn Pavillion, were combined with ideas about how the Britain can survive in the new world. Amongst the new, Modern art was introduced to the British public.