Author David Peace (The Damned United, Red or Dead) another Yorkshireman who is no stranger to international acclaim, launches the first Leeds Lit Fest at Leeds Library on 18 February at 7.30 p.m, when he’ll be in conversation with arts journalist and writer, Yorkshire-based Yvette Huddleston.
Leeds Lit Fest runs from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 March.
David Peace said, “Leeds has a long and rich literary history and a tradition of staging great local literary events. However, it is a great honour and privilege to be involved in the first ever Citywide literary festival. I hope people from across the City and the region will come along, enjoy and participate in the many varied and exciting events. I also hope Leeds Lit Fest will grow from strength to strength and take its place alongside the other internationally-acclaimed festivals of Leeds.”
It’s true to say that the festival will be a Citywide celebration of words and thought, with a creative programme of more than SIXTY events taking place in a variety of venues: Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds Central Library, The Leeds Library, Hyde Park Book Club, HEART Centre, Leeds University, Leeds Beckett University, Holy Trinity Church, Chapel FM, Leeds Corn Exchange and Mill Hill Chapel. Local writers, performers, poets and artists will showcase their extraordinary talents alongside those from elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Ben Fogle, for some years now a household name, will relate his Thrilling Tales from the Wilderness, from crossing Antarctica to conquering Everest.
Jonny Magnanti will performance Tony Harrison’s controversial “V”, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
Anthony Clavane will be talking From Tragedy to Triumph, which should intrigue lovers of sport.
There will be a Storytelling Takeover at Carriageworks Theatre.
Myna Wallin will be reading her poetry on International Women’s Day.
The 50th anniversary of the twinning of Leeds and Dortmund will be marked by Leeds International Writers, presenting Peter Spafford and Dortmund poet Ralf Thenior reading from their jointly-penned diary of time spent in each other’s cities, Electricity Burger.
Writer James Nash will attend a series of Light Lunches (bring your own sandwiches!) where he’ll be in conversation with Leeds writers Frances Brody, Chris Nickson, June Taylor, Clare Fisher and SJ Bradley.
For later in the day, Rush Hour Words will be with Rose George, Richard Smyth and Nick Ahad
The award-winning film Polterheist will be given a special screening to mark Script Yorkshire’s 30th anniversary
Leeds’ Peepal Tree Press will be celebrating 34 years of publishing the best in Caribbean and Black British writing, with writers Malika Booker, Khadijah Ibrahiim, Desiree Reynolds, Roger Robinson, Nick Mahoka, Degna Stone, Anthony Joseph, Jacqueline Bishop, Seni Seneviratne and Jacob Ross.
This fairly short list is impressive in itself, so if you’re curious about all 60+ events which will provide interest, provoke thought and simply entertain from 6 – 10 March, the full programme can be found at bit.ly/LLF2019
Leeds Lit Fest’s partner organisations include The Leeds Library, Leeds Libraries, Carriageworks Theatre, Chapel FM, The Leeds Big Bookend and Northern Short Story Festival, Headingley LitFest, Hyde Park Book Club, MILIM, Leeds Minster, Leeds Church Institute and #foundfiction.
Venues include Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds Central Library, The Leeds Library, Hyde Park Book Club, HEART Centre, Leeds University, Leeds Beckett University, Holy Trinity Church, Chapel FM, Mill Hill Chapel and Leeds Corn Exchange.
Booking tickets
Leeds Lit Fest takes place from Wednesday 6 –Sunday 10 March 2019 at venues across the City. Tickets will be on sale from 10am on 24 January from the City Centre Box Office, online atbit.ly/LLF2019 and on 0113 376 0318.
| Facebook: @LeedsLitFest2019 | Twitter: @LeedsLit | #LLF19
Feature photograph is of David Peace, by Shiho Fukada.
