The gong sounds on stage to draw our attention. It’s not the start of an old Arthur J Rank film, but the opening moments of tonight’s Death Café in Northern Quarter’s Hinterland.
The vegan alcohol-free restaurant on Turner St has an eclectic event roster but tonight – Wednesday 23rd July –their monthly Death Cafe offers an opportunity to have a frank, open and realistic conversation about death. The organiser tells the aim is to increase awareness of the nature of death and to strip back its taboo nature. We’re not trying to get to a conclusion, the organiser tells us. Nor is it for profit.
Jon Underwood set up the first Death Café in London in 2011, based on similar concepts in France and Switzerland. He’d previously worked with ex-offenders and had studied Buddhism. From thereon, the concept has spread.
The small round tables in Hinterland are perfect for groups of 4 or so to gather and discuss the subject, recounting tales of lost loved ones, hospitals, the grieving process and differences in this across different cultures (the group is popular with people from all over the world). I’m also informed I look like BBC’s Steve Backshall, which is a first. Not sure how I feel about that. He’s about 10 years older than me, but he’s shredded, so...
A really interesting, welcoming and positive discussion, frequently more about life and its brevity than death itself. I understand Death Café to be a monthly event, so keep your eye on Hinterland for their events roster.
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