Discover Nottingham's rich literary history with the Festival of Words

Have you heard? Between 9^th and 24^th February Nottingham is hosting the city’s very first Festival of Words. Over one hundred events will encourage you to listen, to read and to create.  This Festival is for everyone with many opportunities to have fun and join in at different venues all over the city. Nottingham already has a rich literary tradition. St Valentine marks February as the month of love, add this to Nottingham’s important role in the lace industry and you have the Festival’s theme of Love and Lace, acknowledging the many cultural threads in the city’s heritage. There isn’t room to mention every event, however, here are a few tasty tidbits to give you a flavour of what’s going on. Authors appearing include Alice Oswald, A L Kennedy, Michael Rosen (now sold out) and Bali Rai, Nottingham’s Man Booker Prize short-listed author Alison Moore, David Almond, Michael Eaton and David Belbin. From ghost stories to ghazal poetry, book swaps and pop up cafes there is something for every taste. Why not get involved at the many workshops throughout the course of the Festival? Write a poem, weave a poem or join a literary walk around the streets of Nottingham. Meet our Artist in Residence Sue Bulmer and Writer in Residence Deborah Tyler-Bennett who will help you create wonderful words. Venues include Playhouse, Lakeside, Broadway, Debbie Bryan’s Studio, Wollaton Hall, Angel Row library, Atlas Deli and Newstead Abbey, ancestral home of Lord Byron, one of the world’s most colourful literary figures. Many events take place at Nottingham Trent University’s Newton Building on 16^th and 17^th February, discounted advance passes are still available so check out http://www.nottwords.org.uk/booking/index.html All booking and event information is on our website www.nottwords.org.uk . Let’s celebrate Nottingham’s words - see you there! Sally Jack edits the Festival’s blog www.nottwords.org.uk/WordPress where you can read more about many of the writers and events at Nottingham’s Festival of Words.