Although freedom of speech is a human right in most civilised countries, Speakers’ Corner has been described as one of the few places in the world where anyone can just climb on a ‘soapbox’ and speak their minds on any subject as long as the police considers it lawful – and almost be guaranteed an audience. It has been like this ever since this area of London’s Hyde Park was the site of Tyburn gallows, where public executions took place between 1196 and 1783, and the condemned were allowed to speak before being hanged. Over the centuries, Speakers’ Corner has been the site of riots, demonstrations, public meetings of groups – such as the communists – that weren’t allowed to gather anywhere else, and was frequented by Marx, Lenin, George Orwell and many other historic figures.  While today it is mainly the scene of eccentrics, religious fanatics and oddballs of all kinds, several prominent speakers such as Heiko Khoo and Jonathan Fitter keep the tradition of meaningful discussions around political and social themes alive. Religion has been debated in Hyde Park since the right to meet and speak freely was formally established in 1872. Today it’s the dominant topic by far, with religious speakers and preachers drawing the biggest crowds and clearly outnumbering the political meetings.  I have been documenting the people gathering here every Sunday since 2012.
Website
enkelmann.co.uk
Address
Speakers' Corner, Marble Arch, London, United Kingdom
Current city: London
I’m a London-based documentary and travel photographer, dividing my time between commercial commissions and personal projects. 
 

More Places in London 471

An incredible restaurant celebrating the diversity and richness of Chinese food. The 10 course 'Taste of China' menu takes you on a tour of the country with each dish being very different. An unforgettable culinary experience.
Read More
I love the George and Dragon Public House. Cluttered deco of silly artifacts and memorabilia and slightly scuzzy around the edges. Great drinking characters, DJs and The White Cubicle gallery in the ladies toilets is difficult to beat.
Read More
The oldest public art gallery in London also is my local gallery in my neighbourhood. Opposite to the Dulwich Park where I walked with my puppy regularly. They have great collections of Dutch paintings as well. My husband found the original Dutch painting of the print at his home he was growing up with.
Read More
Probably my favourite building in the city, and right in the heart of it. There are always interesting events happening here, across art and music, and you can drink in the courtyard during summer
Read More
The walk along the South Bank from Westminster to Tower Bridge will take you past a plethora or interesting sights and cultural hotspots. There's always something interesting going on too.
Read More
Argentina
Austria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Colombia
Croatia
Czechia
Ecuador
Finland
Georgia
Hong Kong
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Morocco
New Zealand
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Philippines
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay