THE Eden Project’s first showcase of LGBTQ creativity will open the attraction’s Arts Festival this weekend (September 8 to 10).

The Arts Festival kicks off today (September 8) with Proud Eden, which will feature two stages of artists celebrating LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) culture.

Publisher Penguin Random House and newspaper Gay Times have been organising the line-up on the stage in the Mediterranean Biome.

It will feature Matthew Todd, former editor of one of the UK’s leading gay magazines, Attitude, talking about his book Straight Jacket: How to be Gay and Happy, and Dean Atta, award-winning poet and one of the most influential LGBTQ people in the UK.

Also on the Mediterranean Biome stage will be award-winning singer-songwriter Paul Diello, Elani Evangelou, a singer-songwriter from Plymouth, Toby Campion, an award-winning writer, and spoken word artist and musician Zee Gachette, otherwise known as Z Star.

On the dome tent stage in Eden’s arena will be the West End show Outings, Lucy Le Brocq’s photos of drag kings, and a performance called Beacons, Icons and Dykons, inspired by the sci-fi musical The Apple.

Kate Francis, Eden’s programme producer, said: ‘We don’t often see this kind of event in Cornwall so we’re excited to introduce our audience to some of the most exciting and vibrant artists and performers in the country.’

The Arts Festival continues on Saturday and Sunday featuring a celebration of the new edition of Roald Dahl’s final story for children, Billy and the Minpins, which is published by Penguin Random House and is being released with new illustrations from iconic Dahl collaborator Quentin Blake.

Eden’s storytellers will be reading from Billy and the Minpins throughout the weekend.

Also on Saturday and Sunday will be puppet performances from Squashbox Theatre (Saturday) and Aunty Emily and the Missing Melody (Sunday) and showings of Miracle Theatre’s feature film Tin.

Music will be provided by Jamie Crowe and Kezia playing songs from their appearance at Eden’s Festival of Light and Sound last Christmas, Vicky Abbott and her choir and folk singers Kate Kirt and Rich Williams.

The Kakatsitsi Master Drummers from Ghana, one of Africa’s leading drumming groups, will be performing and running workshops throughout the weekend.

On Sunday, juggler and comedian Jon Udry will be bringing his ABC Tour to Eden. The ABC Tour sees the Bristol-based entertainer play a show in venues whose names begin with every letter of the alphabet.

All activities are included in the Eden Project admission price.