The widely publicised Shakespearean Festival of 1769, organised by the famous actor David Garrick, first established Stratford as a shrine of literary pilgrimage. It was during the nineteenth century that the idea of holding annual celebrations in honour of the poet was gradually established. The tercentenary of Shakespeare's birth in 1864 marked the next big step forward with a three week celebration held in a wooden tent on the opposite side of the river from where the theatre stands now. It was in 1879, when the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (the predecessor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) was built, that the first of the annual seasons of Shakespeare's plays was established in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since the beginning of this century the tradition of holding an important celebration on the anniversary of the Shakespeare's birth has grown in scale. The celebrations now involve representatives from the worlds of literature, theatre, academia and diplomacy; a truly international gathering joining the people of Stratford on this special weekend.
The celebrations are usually held on the Saturday nearest to 23rd April, Shakespeare's birthday. The traditional core events are: a procession to lay floral tributes on William Shakespeare's tomb, a birthday luncheon at which toasts are made to the Immortal Memory of William Shakespeare and to The Theatre, and, in the evening, a birthday performance of one of his plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Since the early years of this century it has been the custom to invite representatives from other countries amongst a wide company of guests, and the procession arrangements involve the ceremonial unfurling of national and other flags in the main streets of the town. In consequence, the luncheon has also grown into a grander event, involving some 600 distinguished guests and local people. Celebratory events span the whole weekend, including civic receptions, a Birthday Lecture, a Birthday performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company and a special church service.
These traditional annual celebrations are organised simply to honour William Shakespeare, the universally acclaimed genius of the English speaking peoples, whose plays are read, studied and performed in every part of the world, and whose renown and influence transcends all barriers of race, religion and politics. It is in the spirit of this universality that the organising committee invites distinguished guests to join with local people in the unique celebrations. The guest list each year includes representatives of international organisations, High Commissioners and Ambassadors, representatives of national institutions associated with education and the arts, including principal universities as well as persons distinguished in the fields of Shakespearean scholarship and theatre.
The celebrations are funded and organised entirely by local effort. The four major sponsors are the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the Stratford-on-Avon District Council and the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council. Their principals, together with representatives of other organisations in the town, make up the Committee that arranges the celebrations. The financial support of the major sponsors is supplemented by contributions from Stratford and locally associated commercial sponsors and the sale of tickets for the luncheon. The Celebrations Committee offers hospitality for guests and the core events and the Committee's guests are also invited by the Town Mayor to civic receptions hosted by the Town council.
Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations Committee