Thirty years ago we ‘saved’ the whale | It’s time to inspire the next generation to finish the job… so the whales are coming to Brighton!
It was at Brighton back in 1982 that the world’s governments voted to suspend the hunting of whales, and 30 years on, WhaleFest 2012 will be at the very building where that momentous vote was taken – the Hilton Brighton Metropole.
TOM – The Old Market is pleased to hosting an evening of music as part of the weekend of festival events; Whalefest Live.
After last year’s hugely successful WhaleFest, this one is going to be big – a global-scale, week-long event attended by thousands, and supported by hundreds of organisations, whale and dolphin charities, politicians, and a plethora of big names (like Stephen Fry on Twitter, and many more). WhaleFest is the world’s celebration of wild whales and dolphins. The world’s media are gathering to be there.
Why? 
Despite the 1982 vote whales ain’t ‘saved’ yet! Whaling was paused not stopped. Thousands of animals are still hunted by a small group of countries that oppose the whaling moratorium, and worldwide 1000 whales and dolphins die every day from man-made ocean threats in our oceans. An entire dolphin species, the Yangtze River Dolphin, has become extinct – yes, on our watch – and more look set to follow.
It’s time we renewed our commitment to these creatures. It’s time we:
// seized public and media interest with an incredible festival
// harnessed the power of millions of whale watchers in 120 countries
// brought the world’s 200+ whale & dolphin charities together
// launched a mission to really connect the next generation around the world to whales, dolphins and our oceans
// committed to a new pledge for these animals
A ‘World Whale Week’ 
This will be the largest celebration of wild whales and dolphins there has ever been, packed with life-sized whales, virtual whale watch trips, fun family activities, celebrity speakers and more. It’s free for kids, lots of fun, and reaches out to the next generation, the world’s press, businesses, passionate people, celebrities, you, me, your gym instructor, everyone!
The WhaleFest ‘Fringe’ of music, arts, performance and more will be led by WhaleFest Artistic Director, acclaimed author, writer and journalist Philip Hoare (author of ‘Leviathan’, winner of the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction, and BBC presenter). With the support of Brighton & Hove Council, we will remind people of the important role Brighton has played for these animals (Brighton was also the place where some of the last captive dolphins held in Britain were released to be returned to the wild in the Caribbean).
Here at TOM on Saturday 27 October, Whalefest Live features entertainment from Anna Rice, Jose Vanders, Nick Willams, Adam Lucas, Lewis McKale and You and Me Tree. Tickets can be booked for the event standalone, and is set to be a highlight of the weekend. Further Information and Tickets.
WhaleFest Brighton 2012 – bringing people together for whales and dolphins… where they most need our help.
