FESTIVAL FUN
Escape to a tipi in Huddersfield for a feast of books, authors and stories this month
The multi-award-winning Huddersfield Literature Festival returns this month, headlined by Simon Armitage. The Poet Laureate will give a poetry reading followed by a performance with his band LYR at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on April 11.
Simon will perform poetry followed by LYR’s live act, including singer-song writer Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Pearson.
Simon’s latest collection, Never Good with Horses, showcases his diverse repertoire and keen musical language. LYR combines vocal melodies and ambient sounds, creating an enchanting backdrop for poetic verses.
The festival will run from April 18-28, after securing a 30 per cent increase in Arts Council funding following a very successful 2023 festival and two award wins in the past year.
Featured novelists will include Costa Prize winner Monique Roffey for her new novel Passiontide and acclaimed local author Sairish Hussain, who follows The Family Tree with a new novel, Hidden Fires. Comedian and actor Helen Lederer will entertain with stories from her memoir Not That I’m Bitter and Alex Wheatle MBE will discuss his memoir Sufferah: Memoir of a Brixton Reggae Head.
Professor Audrey Osler will explore ideas around migration, identity and belonging in Where Are You From? No, Where Are You Really From? and poetry events will include the launch of new collections by Steve Ely and Rose Condo. Award-winning broadcaster, writer and journalist Gavin Esler discusses his latest book, Britain Is Better Than This, an urgent and timely exploration of a political system in peril – and what we must do to save it.
Online events will feature Emma Donoghue, whose novel is based on the life of the young Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack), a celebration of the centenary of the birth of James Baldwin in partnership with Kirklees Local TV, and a series of creative writing workshops.
There’s chance to attend the premiere of a stunning new documentary film, River Wharfe: A Living Artery, followed by aQ&A with film-maker Mark Barrow.
An under water photographer and clean rivers campaigner, Mark spent five years documenting the entire 65-mile length of the Wharfe. Using scuba gear, a pole-mounted camera and a drone, he shot footage below and above the river’s surface. The resulting documentary is a visual and emotional journey that celebrates the timeless beauty of the River Wharfe.
Community projects will range from specially commissioned activities with Dark Horse Theatre and Give… a few words to projects with Conscious Youth and Aspire. There will also be an expanded Schools Programme of workshops and activities. Firm favourites such as the Stafflex Free Family Day, Poetry Slam and Polari LGBTQ+ literary salon will return, along with discussion t
