The festival has always strived to provide a broad spectrum of delights in its programme, but this year all expectations were surpassed. Musically there were electrifying shows from experimental composer John Cale, far out psychedelic jazz/country from Giant Sand and experimental hip-hop from DJ Shadow.

The word ‘legend’ is often over-used these days, but it’s probably the only way we could describe the majestic Lee 'Scratch' Perry, who graced the Dome with an amazing show ably supported by Max Romeo and Adrian Sherwood.

The explicitly political stance at this year’s festival was reiterated by the appearance of the ever uncompromising Asian Dub Foundation, who managed to entertain and educate us simultaneously.

Guest Director for 2011’s Brighton Festival was Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's pro-democracy leader. Inspired by her, the festival celebrated freedom of expression, liberty, and the power of the individual voice in society. These themes were reflected in many of the works on show.

Kutluğ Ataman’s incredible Mesopotamian Dramaturgies utilised the cavernous interior of the disused municipal market with an eerie set of film projections featuring flowing water. This powerful, sometimes disorientating, exhibition used the unstoppable power of nature as a metaphor for the current surge of political change around the world.

Next door, at the University of Brighton Gallery, Lynette Wallworth’s Evolution of Fearlessness told a series of harrowing stories concerning women who’d undergone tremendous hardship. An accompanying intimate, interactive film installation provided an evocative tactile gateway to the protagonists from these accounts.

Demonstrating similar themes of loss and isolation, albeit in a gentler manner, was The Iron Man which brightened up the seafront in a delightful reimagining of the Ted Hughes classic, demonstrating how fear and ignorance too easily lead to hatred.

One of the best elements of Brighton Festival is their resolve to hold large outdoor events that will include the whole community. Same Sky held their annual Children's Parade through the centre of town which, as always, was immensely popular.

Firestarters Compagnie Carabosse turned St Ann's Well Gardens into a fiery dreamworld for a weekend, as their Jardin Flambeau proved to be one of the big hits of the festival.

Back indoors there was no shortage of amazing art shows and thought-provoking events. Circa circus made us gasp, in amazement and admiration, with their incredible acrobatic prowess, whilst The Forty Part Motet at Fabrica gave us an insight into just how complex and alluring choral music like Spem in Aliumcan be.

As something of a climax to the month Drôles d'Oiseaux bound together a string of white cars. They proceeded to paint and decorate this outlandish train, whilst it was being dragged through the streets to The Level, where finally the cars were hung out to dry amidst a shower of paint explosions and special effects. We weren’t sure what it all meant, but it looked amazing.

Once again Brighton Festival has pulled together a wide spectrum of world class artists in an event that has become one of the best in the world, giving the city something that hopefully everyone that lives or comes here can be proud of.

By Stuart Rolt

Image by David Smith @ St Anne's Well Gardens - 'Jardin Flambeau'