By Leah Conway
Huddersfield Literature Festival (HLF) returns this spring. This year will see a blended programme providing both online and venue-based events. This year’s Festival follows the theme of ‘One World’, focusing on the idea of shared responsibility for the wellbeing of the planet and its people. The Festival will run from 24 March to 3 April 2022.
The Huddersfield Literature Festival is a renowned local event, attracting many well-known authors, performers and visitors to the area since its establishment in 2006.
The Festival has organised a varied programme from author talks, worships, performances, wellbeing events a range of events to suit all.
Huddersfield Literature Festival 2022
HLF has recently announced their programme for the 2022 festival. Here’s a look at what’s to come:
In Conversation with Dr John Cooper Clarke – April 3, 8 pm at The University of Huddersfield.
John Cooper Clarke is a performance “punk poet”, musician, TV and radio presenter, social and cultural commentator. With the release of his new memoir I Wanna Be Yours, John Cooper Clarke will explore the book and the extraordinary stories it reveals in an interview with Johnny Green – former road manager of The Clash.
Don’t Ask the Dragon – Lemn Sissay & Greg Stobbs – March 19, 2pm.
Lemn Sissay, best selling author and HLF patron, showcases his debut children’s book – Don’t Ask the Dragon –illustrator Greg Stobbs. The heartwarming adventure story sees a young boy exploring to find a place to celebrate his birthday.
Landscape and Setting with Joanne Harris and Rupert Thomson
Award-winning authors Joanne Harris and Rupert Thomson will discuss ideas around place, landscape and belonging in pieces of their work. Pieces up for discussion includes Joanne Harris’s Chocolat series St Oswald’s Grammar School series and the various locations in Rupert Thomson’s novels such as Florence, Paris, Mexico and Amsterdam to his latest work Barcelona Dreaming.
Check out our video from last year’s festival:
These are just a glimpse of some of the headliner events. A vast range of other fantastic performers includes performances from musician Sarah Jay Hawley, music journalist Pete Paphides, Annapurna Indian Dance, actor Adrian Lukis, forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop, and crime writers RC Bridgestock and Jonathan Hall.
Some of the online events will feature people such as Young Women’s Trust ambassador Toni Tone, Paralympian and Dancing on Ice finalist Libby Clegg, bestselling thriller writer Erin Kelly. There will also be a discussion with Joan Anim-Addo, Deirdre Osborne & Kadija Sesay, the editors of This is the Canon – a book exploring how to decolonise your bookshelf in 50 books.
HLF Family Activities for All
There will also be various family-friendly activities going on both in-person and online. Other events organised by the HLF include getting involved in special community projects, workshops and even chances for aspiring writers to pitch their work to publishers!
North Huddersfield Trust School will also host the ‘Stafflex Free Family Day’, a day full of fun stalls and activities. Other activities running will also include venue-based and online activities for families with special needs and disabilities.
Finally, HLF is taking over a Temporary Contemporary Hub in the Piazza in Huddersfield for the festival launch. The launch will host a free Family Preview on Saturday 5 March, which will be opened by Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, a Meet and Greet with Julia Donaldson’s gentle dragon Zog and a visit from Grandad Wheels, with a ‘Design a Futuristic Wheelchair’ competition.
“Plenty to Enjoy”
Festival Director Michelle Hodgson said: “Our 2022 programme showcases a wide representation of voices and events, with activities for all the family and events with diverse and upcoming performers as well as major names. After a challenging couple of years, we’re hoping that audiences will find plenty to enjoy and experience, whether online or in-person.”
Find the full 2022 programme and book tickets at the Huddersfield Literature Festival website.
Here’s a look at what kind of things you can expect from HLF: