Southbank Centre celebrates 75th anniversary
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Victoria Cook
BBC London
The Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre has been referred to as "one of the best brutalist buildings in the world"
The Southbank Centre is marking the 75th anniversary of when it first opened its doors to the public for the Festival of Britain in 1951.
The arts complex originally started with just the Royal Festival Hall. It was constructed for the festival - a joyous celebration after years of war.
The site was later extended, and in 1967, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall. In February the brutalist building was
granted Grade II-listed status
.
Today, the Southbank Centre is thought to be one of Europe's largest arts centres, with more than 11.6 million visitors a year. Currently, 55% of its programming is free.
'Vibrant energy'
To mark the 75th anniversary, the Southbank Centre
is hosting a range of events
, including "You Are Here" on Sunday, a one-day, site-wide takeover of theatre, music, art, fashion and dance from across the decades.
It is just one of the many events the complex hosts every year, with the aim to make the arts accessible to all.
"We believe that art and creativity should be a right, not a privilege," the Southbank said.
"We're committed to breaking down the barriers – whether financial, physical or social – that stop people from taking part," it added.
Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, said: "The Festival of Britain in 1951 was the moment after the war that the UK transformed from black and white into glorious technicolour.
"From day one, the Southbank Centre has continued in that spirit - offering a vibrant, optimistic, forward-looking energy."
Southbank Centre
US former First Lady Michelle Obama in conversation with Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Over the years, the site, which was voted "Britain's ugliest building" when it was extended in the 1960s, has hosted some of the biggest names and events in the world.
The composer and sitar player Ravi Shankar was among them. Shankar played at the Royal Festival Hall in October 1958 and continued a lifelong connection to the venue.
In 1960 it also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest - the balconies were used as commentary boxes.
Southbank Centre
The Eurovision Song Contest was held in the Royal Festival Hall in 1960, with the balconies used as commentary boxes
In 1972, singing superstar Elton John debuted his hit song "Rocket Man" during a concert at the Royal Festival Hall two months before its release.
There have been many more musicians to have appeared at the venue and artists too. In 2007, the celebrated sculptor Sir Anthony Gormley installed 30 life-size casts of his body on the rooftops of surrounding buildings
as part of his Blind Light exhibition
.
In 2018, former US First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on stage to discuss her memoir, Becoming, in conversation with Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
And in February, it was announced former One Direction star Harry Styles will curate this year's "landmark"
Meltdown festival
at the Southbank Centre.
Southbank Centre
A sculpture of Sir Anthony Gormley's body was installed at the top of the Hayward Gallery
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the complex as a "cultural institution".
He said: "London is a global cultural capital, and for 75 years the Southbank Centre has been at the heart of this success.
"A much-loved cultural institution, it has showcased incredible talent, nurtured new creative voices, and entertained and inspired millions of audiences."
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More on the Southbank Centre
Brutalist Southbank Centre granted listed status
Southbank to host celebration of youth culture
Harry Styles named curator of 2026 Meltdown Festival
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