Inside the FT Weekend Festival 2025

Who is better placed to discuss the ins and outs of the complicated world we live in than the world’s most trusted publication? Be it giving tips on investing in art and achieving enduring style or contemplating the resurgence of interest in the Romans and Greeks, the FT offered something for every curious reader. Hampstead Heath, for another year in a row, was transformed from a leafy city oasis into to hub of discovery – one which at the end of the day was serenaded by Jay Rayner’s jazz stylings.

The World in Turmoil

Between the rise in populism, the advent of AI, and the shifting world order, at times it feels the cycle of challenges can be never-ending. Alice Fishburn, the FT’s Opinion Editor, welcomed former Deputy Prime Minister and President of Global Affairs for Meta, Nick Clegg, Lea Ypi, author and professor of political theory at LSE, and author and journalist, Phillip Stephens, to discuss how we untangle political, technological, and social knots. The overwhelming consensus was the need to build affordable housing for the next generation, reform taxes, and tame the tech giants.

FT Arts Interview: Celia Imrie

The Thursday Murder Club has taken the literary and film world by storm. Celia Imrie, who stars as Joyce in Richard Osmon’s beloved whodunnit, sat down with FT film critic, Danny Leigh. A surprising expert in Taekwondo and a love for American Dateline TV, Celia spilt the secrets of her decades-long career. Apparently, and confirmed by her friend Helena Bonham Carter in the front row, the fear of forgetting your lines never goes away, LA is a hoot but they will think your mad if you walk instead of drive, and Better Things is the work she is most proud of.

Why the Greeks and Romans are all the rage

A few years ago, "what is your Roman Empire" was doing the rounds on social media with a surprisingly overwhelming amount of men reporting to regularly think about the Roman Empire. Well, it appears the phenomenon has spread and we're now seeing a huge resurgence in interest in the Romans, Greeks, and Ancient Civilisation. According to experts Peter Frankopan, Isabelle Williams, Gillian Tett, and Alec Russell, in the TikTok age, people are looking for wider wisdom and seeking comfort in ancient histories. That, paired with a decrease in requirements to study the original texts, has created a desire for interpretations - like Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic Odyssey. 

How to be Stylish Now

A panel led by HTSI editor Jo Ellison, and featuring model Edie Campbell, Designer Supriya Lele, Creative Director Simon Holloway, and commentator Robert Armstrong, certainly has the qualifications to unpick the age-old question - how to be stylish. The esteemed panellists stripped it back for the audience and encouraged them to start at the beginning (a very good place to start). Style boils down to expressing your sense of personality, using clothing as an anchor, ultimately dressing to the natural shape of your body and using draping to accent the parts you like the most. Other tips included investing in pieces that will look better after five years of wear - think quality leather, denim, and wool - and finding a colour palette that you like and sticking to it. 

So, What Does the FT Really Think? 

Ever wondered what goes on in the lead editorial meeting at FT HQ? To give readers an insight into the process behind the content, the FT editorial board sat on stage and re-enacted their daily discussion. From the role of Europe in the changing world order and the opportunity the UK has to be a centre of innovation and science as the US attacks its own universities, to the importance of the newly formed "coalition of the willing", the board put the world to rights in front of a live audience. 

How to Decorate with Sense Not Cents

Renovating and decorating can be a minefield of bamboozling decisions. Paint samples, tender packages, and fabric swatches - and that's before you even begin to tackle electrical wiring or plumbing. Interior Designer, Alex Lauley, Glasstte founder and Queen of Cool, Laura Jackson, and Farrow & Ball Ambassador, Patrick O'Donnell, joined forces to share their pearls of wisdom on making a house a home. Key takeaways were to take time to live in the space before making major changes, invest in quality hard-to-replace items (taps, worktops, appliances), look for salvaged second-hand items to bring character to a space, and the importance of insisting on seeing a contractor's previous work in the flesh.  

Late Lunch with the FT: Tom Hollander

It is ever so British to have as illustrious a career as Tom Hollander and still be so self-deprecatory. His preference to be flippant about any project he works on, in case it's rubbish, is part of his undeniable charm. In conversation with Janine Gibson, editor FT Weekend, Tom Hollander discussed what it's like to inhabit the lives of his characters and how it's always more fun to play a villain. 

The New Age of the Train: Why are Holidays by Rail this Year’s Hottest Ticket?

2025 is the year of the train. The rail renaissance is well and truly underway and the luxury sector is all aboard. Authors Monica Rajesh and Andrew Martin attribute this to the climate crisis, a willingness to embrace the slowness of travel, a desire to engage with the people you meet on a journey, and a nostalgia for the golden age of travel. It was abundantly clear that the dining carriage will always be an experience and the height of luxury. Nothing else quite conjures an Agatha Christie-esque sense of intrigue and glamour. 

FT Weekend literary interview: David Nicholls

David Nicholls is the architect of the modern romantic novel and the author behind some of the most iconic titles in the last few decades. Walking FT literary editor, Frederick Studman, through his work, Nicholls discussed how One Day, which was turned into a film and a Netflix series, couldn't work today because the notion of losing touch ceases to exist. His latest novel,  You Are Here, was inspired by his own walking experience and he wanted to write about the challenges of socialising and making connections in later life. Nicholls also revealed the secrets behind his writing process, which includes extensive planning, a structured approach to storytelling, and developing characters through improvisation. 

Making an Income Investing in Art

Art is big business. Those who collect and invest already will know that it’s approximately a $60bn a year type of big business. Traditionally, the greatest returns could be seen by discovering a fledgling artist before they became the next best thing. Thanks to Grove Gallery, there’s a new way to get income without parting with your asset. James Ryan, Founder and CEO of Grove Gallery and his Managing Partner, Jack Newell, outlined at the festival how their buy-to-let model, which they labelled as “real estate on walls”, allows individuals to rent their art to premium venues like five-star hotels, Michelin star restaurants, and private jet lounges. The artist gets exposure, the collector gets a fee for renting out their art, and the venues get to adorn their walls with quality pieces that elevate their ambience.