First city book festival to be held next month

Next month, Norwich will host its very first book festival, and it promises to be an exciting event for book lovers! The Norwich Book Festival is set to take place from October 24 to October 27, and it aims to celebrate the city's rich literary heritage. Norwich was recognized as England's first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012, which highlights its importance in the world of literature. The festival will feature a variety of award-winning authors and engaging events that everyone can enjoy. The Forum, a central hub in the city, is collaborating with the National Centre for Writing and the University of East Anglia (UEA) to bring this festival to life. Rowan Whiteside, the marketing manager at The Forum, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, 'We are a city of readers and writers, and we are thrilled to work with such fantastic partners to bring the book festival to Norwich and to offer something special in the autumn. ' She believes that autumn is a wonderful time to dive into a good book. The festival will include an impressive lineup of over 35 activities, with many events being free or affordably priced. Some of the highlights include a talk by Craig Brown, a writer for Private Eye, who will discuss his biography of Queen Elizabeth II. There will also be a Halloween-themed event called Of The Flesh, featuring authors like Michel Faber, Louisa Young, and Irenosen Okojie. Additionally, writer Julie Summers will share insights about her celebration of British Vogue. Events will be held at The Forum, local bookshops, and the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall on King Street. Peggy Hughes, the chief executive of the National Centre for Writing, emphasized that this inaugural festival is a way to celebrate the creative work happening in the city and the renowned writing programs at UEA. 'The UEA is a powerhouse of producing amazing talents,' she stated. 'Many of the authors participating in the festival have come through that very program, which is incredibly exciting. ' She also noted that the region is fortunate to have a wealth of talented writers and literary translators. 'We have a vibrant book culture in this area, and a festival is a unique opportunity to bring readers and writers together in a spontaneous and exciting way.