CULTURE EDITION
MUSICAL MAGIC FROM THE AYOUB SISTERS Acclaimed Scottish-Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters will be appearing at Cambridge Junction on 11 February, as part of a UK tour celebrating their ten-year anniversary. Defying genre boundaries and drawing from both their deep knowledge of western classical music and solid grounding in the music of the Arabic world, their performance as a quartet with virtuoso guitarist Giulio Romano Malaisi and accomplished drummer Daniele Antenucci will transport audiences through a rich tapestry of sounds, showcasing the duo’s journey and honouring their cultural and musical heritage. Their debut album soared to number one on the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart, while their second album, Arabesque , reached number one in the iTunes Charts. Find out more and book tickets at junction.co.uk
A new seven-week exhibition at the Cambridge Corn Exchange will highlight the iconic venue’s rich and surprising history and pivotal role in city life, in commemoration of its 150th anniversary. From 17 February to 4 April in the venue’s foyer, A Stage in Time: Celebrating 150 Years of the Corn Exchange will present a uniquely fascinating collection of images, artefacts, memories and culturally historic details – some accessible to the public for the very first time – that have been pieced together by heritage experts and volunteers. Find out why the venue’s roof was originally glass and what images are hidden in the shadows of the rafters. Discover the city’s alternative wing to the Suffragette movement, which changed the lives of women forever. Imagine the challenge of providing a Coronation Tea for 1,000. Trace the beginning of ‘leisure time’ and the extraordinary entertainment provided by the Corn Exchange in recent decades. A range of events will also span the seven weeks, including evening openings, Delve into the archives at the Corn Exchange
tours and special ‘quiet hours’. Find out more at cornex.co.uk
Kimbolton Castle joins nationwide celebration of architect’s work Kimbolton Castle, located in the grounds of Kimbolton School in Cambridgeshire, is one of six historic properties to be showcased in the Vanbrugh 300 programme during 2026 – a nationwide celebration marking the tercentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect behind some of Britain’s most iconic buildings. Vanbrugh 300 will feature activities, exhibitions, events and lectures at six of Vanbrugh’s most significant masterpieces: Kimbolton Castle, Castle Howard in Yorkshire, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire and Stowe House in Buckinghamshire. As part of the anniversary, more than 100 state primary school classes from across the UK are invited to take part in a full package of free learning activities, focused around Vanbrugh’s work. Will Chuter, headteacher at Kimbolton School, said: “This initiative will not only showcase the castle’s significance, but will also welcome schools and communities from across the region to engage with our shared heritage.” For more information, or to book a free school place on the Vanbrugh 300 schools programme, visit vanbrugh300.co.uk
The latest from the cultural scene in Cambridge
18 FEBRUARY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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