Brighton Festival has revealed its guest director for next year.

Grammy-nominated musician, composer and activist Anoushka Shankar will follow in the footsteps of previous guest directors Anish Kapoor, Kae Tempest, Lemn Sissay and, most recently, Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

At the age of nine, Shankar began studying the sitar and Indian classical music under her father, Pandit Ravi Shankar.

She made her professional debut at 13 and began touring worldwide and has collaborated with the likes of Patti Smith, Sting and the Dalai Lama.

She has also composed for cinema and is a supporter of campaigns such as One Billion Rising which aims to end violence against women and girls,

Shankar has spoken about her own experiences as a woman and a survivor of child abuse.

“It brings me so much pride and joy to have been invited to be Brighton Festival’s guest director for the 2025 season,” she said.

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“I have loved the beauty, energy and eclecticism of Brighton since I was a teenager and was thrilled to play Brighton Festival myself a couple of years ago.

“I’m elated to now have the chance to get involved in programming a festival of diverse and cross-pollinating art forms from around the globe.

“It’s my hope that the artists involved in the festival can draw on their skills and heritages past and present to share perspectives on new ways forward across all areas of our lives, our challenges and our dreams.”

Anoushka will work with the Brighton Festival programming team to develop a diverse and inclusive programme of events which will be revealed at the official launch in February.

Andrew Comben, chief executive, Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: “Anoushka Shankar is already a much-loved artist by Brighton Festival audiences and we’re thrilled to welcome her as guest director for Brighton Festival 2025.

“Anoushka is a singular artistic voice and an incredible collaborator – her fresh perspective and ideas for new and exciting collaborations with local and international artists will bring a unique vision to the festival.

“Her unwavering commitment to and advocacy for social justice will inspire Brighton Festival's wide-ranging and eclectic programme and we look forward to enabling everyone from our communities and beyond to take part in what I know will be a festival to remember.

Brighton Festival 2025 will take place from May 3 to 25.