Oh how I love a literature festival, even more so when it’s in your own city! So of course I was excited to see that Leeds is hosting its very own festival this year.
Leeds Lit Fest is taking place from 6 – 10 March with events across the City. It’s been organised by a number of Leeds groups, which is lovely to see. Partners include:ย The Leeds Library, Leeds Libraries, Carriageworks Theatre, Chapel FM, The Leeds Big Bookend and Northern Short Story Festival, Headingley LitFest, Hyde Park Book Club, MILIM, Leeds Minster, Leeds Church Institute and #foundfiction.
“The Festival programme will celebrate the vibrant and thriving literature scene that exists in Leeds with local writers, performers and artists showcasing their talents alongside those from across the UK and internationally. There will be author talks, workshops, performance, poetry and spoken word events including a Storytelling Takeover at Carriageworks Theatre.
The Festival will use some of the most creative spaces in the city for its programme with a lineup that will see more than 30 events taking place over the 5 days of the Festival incorporating the rich mix of influences from the different partners all of whom have extensive experience of bringing literature events to the city.”
There’s a lot I’m looking forward to. Chelping at The Leeds Library sounds exactly like my sort of thing. “One of the best-loved and most vibrant spoken word nights in Yorkshire, Chelping has brought internationally renowned poets to Leeds’ now 251-year-old library.” I also very much want to do the Leeds Library poetry ghost walk, although I fear it might scare me too much!
As I’m currently reading “A History of Britain in 21 Women” I’d like to go see An Afternoon With Jenni Murray. I’d also like to attend the launch of Strix magazine #6, and I love the #foundfiction idea of members of the community writing a story in collaboration.
There’s plenty to do! To see what’s on, visit the website. You can also join the Leeds Lit Fest event on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.