Greenbelt have announced the first handful of artists and activists who will be joining them at their new site at Boughton House in Northamptonshire.

First to joine them this August is Rev Mpho Tutu, a visionary preacher and public speaker who authored Made For Goodness with her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Today, Mpho heads up the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in South Africa – ensuring that the theology and activism inspired by her father is sustained, both in the Rainbow Nation and around the world. In the long shadow cast by Nelson Mandela’s passing, we are privileged to welcome one of that great country’s leading lights to our festival.

Their programme of Ideas will also feature Greenbelt favourite Nadia Bolz-Weber, author of Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, and The Food Pantry founder Sara Miles – both from the States – as well as “sociologist of religion” Professor Linda Woodhead, from Lancaster University here in the UK.

Early music acts confirmed include X Factor superstar Jahmene Douglas, BBC Folk Awards Best Group winners Lau, and all-girl punk choir Gaggle. With many more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Plus returning is BBC Radio 2 with their Good Morning Sundayshow hosted by Clare Balding, and The Sunday Hour with Diane Louise Jordan.

These are just first seeds of an eclectic, radical mix of inspiring arts and ideas which will grow over the coming weeks into an irresistible bill for Greenbelt 2014 – all hosted this year in their beautiful new festival home at Boughton. Tickets for Greenbelt 2014 will be on sale very soon, the festival takes place between Fri 29th to Sat 30th August 2014.

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