By Leah Conway –
Huddersfield Literature Festival returns for another year to offer a fantastic blended programme of online and venue-based events.
This year the Festival will run from 24 March – 3 April 2022, following the theme of ‘One World’.
The ‘One World’ theme aims to highlight our shared responsibility for the wellbeing of our planet and its people.
Events for all!
The Festival was established in 2006 and has since offered various programmes of author talks, workshops, roundtables, performance poetry, multi-arts performances and a range of events for young people and families. This year the Festival will commence with a Free Family preview this Saturday – 5 March. The event will occur at the Festival Hub, located in the Huddersfield Piazza, next to Toyland.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, will officially open the event at noon. At the event, you can get involved in a wealth of free fun activities for all the family, including an appearance by Julia Donaldson’s friendly dragon Zog, storytelling with Grandad Wheels and ‘dragon mask’ making at MakerWorld – Children’s Art School.
Family-friendly events
There will be event more family-friendly events throughout the Festival, this includes
Storytelling and colouring activity session – Bestselling author and poet Lemn Sissay and illustrator Greg Stobbs will be hosting the session on Saturday, 19 March. The activities will be based on their new book, Don’t Ask the Dragon.
Stafflex Free Family Day is running on Saturday 26 March. The day will include a range of stalls, activities and entertainment, including a Recycle Magic show, Bhangra demonstration and Rappaman.
Adventures Around Our Blue and Green Planet with Leisa Stewart-Sharpe on Sunday 27 March.
Creative storytelling on Saturday 2 April; the storytelling will have an environmental message and is hosted by fairandfunky for SCRAPtastic Stories.
Learning about drawing for children’s books with Onyinye Iwu, illustrator of Benjamin Zephaniah’s children’s book: We Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me. This event is running on Saturday 2 April.
The Festival is also hosting events for families with special needs and disabilities.
“We can’t wait!”
Festival Director Michelle Hodgson said: “Our 2022 programme showcases a wide representation of voices and events, and it so important for us to ensure there is a full programme of events and activities for all the family. We can’t wait to welcome children and young people of all ages to our Preview event and officially launch this year’s festivities.”
You can find the full 2022 programme and book tickets on the Festival’s website, and check out KLTV’s promotion video to see what’s in store this year!