A literary festival is set to return for another week of inspiring words, performances, and creative events.
Now in its 16th year, the Worcestershire Literary Festival gets underway on Sunday, June 7, and runs until Saturday, June 13.
It is a free, ticketless programme offering opportunities to enjoy poetry and storytelling around Worcester, as well as online and hybrid offerings.
The festival kicks off at the Huntingdon Hall Foyer Bar on Sunday from 2pm, with the crowning of the next Worcestershire Poet Laureate.
Finalists will deliver live performances in a showcase judged by an expert panel, including current laureate Paul Robert, festival director and former laureate Nina Lewis, and poet Brian Comber.
A spokesperson said: “You can watch the finalists go head to head for a round of live performances, judged by our expert panel made up of our current Worcestershire Poet Laureate, Paul Robert, the LitFest Director & Former Worcestershire Poet Laureate, Nina Lewis and published author and poet, Brian Comber.”
Performers at last year’s SpeakEasy Special, which is also the cover for this year’s programme (Image: Worcestershire LitFest)
Other highlights of the launch include the finals of the Young Writers and Flash Fiction competitions, with readings and prize presentations.
On Monday, June 8, the Wonder Exhibition Reading will take place from 2pm to 4pm in the Dean’s Chapel at Worcester Cathedral.
This event complements the exhibition running at the venue from June 6 to June 19.
The SpeakEasy Special is on Thursday, June 11, at Boston Tea Party on Broad Street.
Canadian poet Jeff Cottrill will appear, and audiences will hear extended sets from both the outgoing and incoming Poet Laureate in the official handover event.
The festival finale takes place at the same venue on Saturday, June 13, and marks the start of a year-long partnership with AccessAbility Arts, a non-profit committed to making the arts fully inclusive.
This year’s programme also features collaborations with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcester Arts Collective, and Worcester City Welcomes Refugees.
Between one and two events are scheduled daily, and organisers encourage visitors to explore the full line-up online.
The festival is organised by Worcestershire Literary Festival and Fringe CIC, a community literary organisation founded in 2010 to promote poetry and literature throughout the region.
Programmes are available at the Tourist Information Centre and other venues across the city.
The full schedule can be found online at https://litfestworcs.org/events.
