Taking place in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 October, Norwich Book Festival honours the unique literary heritage of Norwich and invites readers of all kinds to join the story. This inaugural festival has been developed by The Forum in collaboration with expert partners including literary powerhouses University of East Anglia and the National Centre for Writing, as well as booksellers from across Norwich, creating a city-wide attraction for the weekend. Norwich Book Festival celebrates the power of stories and the ways they shape and change our lives, with events from award-winning writers including novelist Alison Weir, former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Booker shortlisted Andrew Miller, BBC Short Story Prize winner Naomi Wood, and world-famous boxing commentator Steve Bunce. With events crossing genres, including crime, popular science, and politics, as well as a programme designed for young people, Norwich Book Festival is for everyone. The weekend (Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 October) also features two days of free interactive hands-on activities for all our visitors to enjoy. Chris Gribble, Chief Executive of The Forum says, “There’s such a thirst for debate, stories and conversation in our city, that we’re delighted to be launching Norwich Book Festival, a new city-wide festival which promises to further Norwich’s reputation as an unmissable literary destination, and invites readers from our city, county, and further afield to discover new stories and new writers. Here at The Forum, we know how powerful festivals can be in bringing people together to explore, learn and share new experiences. The Forum, home to one of the busiest libraries in the country and visited by thousands of readers every day, is a fitting base for a festival of books, stories, and creative writing!” Alongside the main festival from Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 October, there will be an extended ‘Extra’ programme of events at venues across the city starting on Wednesday 16 October with bestselling author R.F. Kuang at UEA Live. Norwich, the City of Stories, is uniquely positioned to host England’s newest book festival: the city is home to the world famous UEA Creative Writing Programme and was the location of the first English provincial library (1608), as well as the first place to implement the Public Library Act of 1850. Today, Norwich is a thriving city of readers, writers, bookshops, publishers, and literary and creative organisations. Peggy Hughes, Chief Executive of National Centre for Writing says; “Norwich is the perfect city for a brand-new book festival: England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a city bursting with writers and readers and book lovers, and a place of over 900 years of stories. The Forum, which is home to several other wonderful festivals, is perfectly positioned to drive it! We’re delighted to be alongside for the ride and can’t wait to enjoy all that October has to bring us.” Norwich Book Festival is city-wide partnership led by The Forum, the region’s landmark space for culture, debate and education. Alongside a busy programme of year-round events, The Forum also delivers Norwich Science Festival, Norwich Games Festival and Norfolk Heritage Open Days. The Festival has been developed alongside key partners from the city and county, including National Centre for Writing, Norfolk Libraries, and University of East Anglia, and booksellers including Waterstones, and award-winning independents Jarrolds, The Book Hive and Bookbugs & Dragon Tales. The full programme will be revealed in late August.
