Christmas at Harewood House is on Channel 4 at 8pm on Saturday 9 December, 2023. You can stream it on demand via the Channel 4 platform.

Harewood House, located in Yorkshire, stands as one of England's premier Treasure Houses. Constructed in the 1700s by Edwin Lascelles, the 1st Baron of Harewood, with design expertise from Robert Adam and landscaping by Capability Brown, this architectural gem is renowned for housing the world's finest collection of Chippendale furniture. Evolving beyond a typical visitor attraction, this Palladian masterpiece has been repurposed into a museum dedicated to fine art.

Guided by a charitable trust, the current custodian, the 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, and his family actively participate in the governance. This Christmas season, their team has embarked on an ambitious venture to revitalize all the grand state rooms with installations from 11 avant-garde artists. Titled "Long Live the Christmas Tree," the exhibition unfolds each artist's unique interpretation of winter festivities. Striving for a contemporary flair, the showcase melds diverse cultures and local craftsmanship, yet it grapples with the challenging historical legacy embedded in the estate.

Originally founded on substantial profits from family sugar plantations in the West Indies, Harewood House confronts its association with a dark past. While acknowledging this connection to slavery—a pervasive element in many British institutions—Harewood distinguishes itself by not only admitting to this difficult issue but also taking ownership of it. Recognizing the indebtedness to Caribbean culture, the Lascelles family aims to shape a more inclusive future. By fostering a revival of modern, diverse artistic expressions, both in exhibitions and visitors, Harewood seeks to mitigate the shadows of its historical legacy.

The programme follows a dynamic and diverse two-week Christmas installation period, during which the dedicated staff, the Lascelles family, and the 11 distinct artists collaboratively work to craft a stately Christmas experience like no other. The central question looms: Will this innovative approach align with the expectations of their 40,000 loyal visitors?

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