New literature festival is to launch in May

An exciting new literature festival is to launch in Warrington in May, organised by LiveWire.

Warrington Lit Fest will run at libraries and other community venues from Saturday 9^th to Saturday 16^th May and will celebrate all things literary in the borough and beyond, from storytelling, performances, creative writing, author visits and more.

Loosely based on the BBC’s ‘100 Novels that Shaped Our World’ project, the programme is being organised by LiveWire’s Community Librarian team, supported by a grant from Libraries Connected – the umbrella organisation that represents public libraries in England.

The 100 Novels initiative was launched in November 2019 to mark the 300^th anniversary of the publication of Robinson Crusoe and is designed to spark debate about novels that have had a big impact on readers personally and culturally. Divided into ten categories, the choices are wide ranging and inclusive and feature children’s books, contemporary classics, graphic novels, adventure stories and culturally significant works.

Warrington Lit Fest is one of many special events taking place throughout the year linking into the initiative and supported by Libraries Connected.

From open mic poetry to a murder mystery night, and from blogging to storytelling – Warrington Lit Fest will feature over 25 different events that organisers hope will help inspire and encourage book lovers in the borough to take part and get involved.

The festival will launch with a family fun day at Warrington Museum and Library including performances by Imagining History who will pass on some interesting spy techniques and tips.

Other highlights of the festival include:

• A talk on scriptwriting from TV writer Lisa Holdsworth (Call the Midwife, Midsomer Murders).
• The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists hosted by the Friends of Padgate Library.
• Local author Janice Hayes recalls how Warrington has changed over the past 50 years.
• Creative writing for teens by award-wining children’s author Catherine Bruton.
• Flash Fiction – an opening mic event for short stories.

Most events in the festival are free or voluntary donation only.

Primary Schools across Warrington are also able to get involved by entering a competition to design the official ‘sticker’ of the event, with the winning design being produced on stickers that will be given our to youngsters during the festival.

There will also be a chance to win prizes by taking part in ‘Book Bingo’. Library users will be encouraged to read books based on the 100 Novels categories to complete a bingo card. The competition will run from the start of Warrington Lit Fest until Libraries Week in October.

Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community, Cllr Tony Higgins said: “This fantastic festival is the perfect way to discover the joys of literature, with an exciting, diverse programme of events designed to inspire and capture imaginations.

“From family fun days, storytelling events and author talks to creative writing sessions, open mic poetry and even a murder mystery night, there’s something for everyone. It’s set to be a very special week, with our libraries and community venues springing to life with activity. Best of all, most of the events are free, giving you even more reason to get involved.”

Wendy Molyneux, LiveWire’s Strategic Library Manager, said: “We are delighted to have created an exciting programme of events and activities that will promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion. Based on the BBC initiative, 100 Novels that Shaped Our World and delivered to support the national Get Creative festival, Warrington Lit Fest is going to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded people – readers, writers, performers and storytellers.

“We hope anyone who has a passion for literature will find something interesting and exciting both in our libraries and out in the community.”

For more information on LiveWire’s Libraries please visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/libraries.

A full schedule of Warrington Lit Fest Events can be found below:

*admission fee applies