Friday 24 – Saturday 26 May 2024
VAL MCDERMID CARYS DAVIES JON MCGREGOR KATE READ FERDIA LENNON CLARE POLLARD ROY MCFARLANE HANNAH JANE WALKER SARAH MARSH MICHAEL DONKOR SANTANU BHATTACHARYA TOAST MARCHELLE FARRELL JESSICA J. LEE
Presented by the National Centre for Writing and Norfolk & Norwich Festival
In the maelstrom of modern-day conversation, which voices rise above the commotion? Whose voices often go unheard, and how can we make sure that we’re listening?
These questions form the basis of this year’s City of Literature weekend: three days of events, creative workshops and open spaces that celebrate the multiplicity of voices in our community and explore important questions of communication and representation.
Dazzling authors of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction will take to the stage to discuss what it means to be an ‘outsider’, how to find your authentic voice, and what happens when words or language become a barrier for you.
We are delighted to open the weekend with a family-friendly interactive storytelling event in the Festival Gardens followed by a series of free activities for young people at Dragon Hall, to encourage a lifelong love of storytelling and of understanding different points of view.
We also invite you to explore brilliant and bold local talent through our popular Publishing Fair and the latest edition of Wandering Words, a literary walking tour of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature.
Through listening, understanding and making space for others to speak, we have a much greater opportunity to grow and connect; to allow greater freedom and acceptance in the stories we tell about ourselves and our world.
Book 3+ events and get 10% off!
Saturday 25 May
Build a Community Picture Book
Poems as Friends with Roy McFarlane & Hannah Jane Walker
Writing Conflict: Prose Fiction Workshop with Michael Donkor
The Harriet Martineau Lecture: Val McDermid
Page Against the Machine
A Sign of Her Own: Sarah Marsh
Book Binding Workshop with Judith Ellis
Grow Where They Fall: Michael Donkor & Santanu Bhattacharya
BURNT TOAST: Late Night Open Mic Poetry
Wandering Words
Experience Norwich through fresh eyes and make discoveries about its past, present and future by embarking on a literary walking trail of the city.
Equipped with your mobile phone and a map from the Festival Box Office, you are ready to start your audio adventure. Follow the trail and scan the QR code at each marked location to hear a poem written by a writer with ties to Norwich, as well as sounds of the people and settings that inspired each of them to put pen to paper.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Norwich becoming England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, National Centre for Writing commissioned writers to respond creatively to a particular place or to an event in its history. These new works represent the breadth of new writing happening in, around and inspired by Norwich.
Featuring work by Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Andy Bennett, Piers Harrison-Reid, Hannah Levene and Jessica Streeting, plus two new commissions for 2024 by Martin Figura and Cat Woodward.
Pick up a map from the Festival Box office or download online here!
Free!
Box office
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