By KLTV Newsdesk –

Huddersfield Literature Festival, fondly known as HuddLitFest, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded an Arts Council England grant to support its 2025 event.

HuddLitFest25 will take place from 8 – 18 May, with a theme of ‘Yorkshire’ to celebrate and support the writers, poets, and performers of the region.

Amidst a very challenging funding landscape, the award-winning festival continues to garner support from funders, local businesses, and individuals.

Celebrating Yorkshire’s Literary Heritage

The festival will feature a stellar lineup of confirmed guests, including Alan Johnson, who will present his biography of Harold Wilson; bestselling author Joanne Harris with her new novel Vianne; and acclaimed writers Yvonne Battle-Felton, Rachel Joyce, Stephen May, and Michael Stewart.

Engaging Workshops and Family Activities

Attendees can look forward to various creative writing workshops led by respected authors and tutors, including novelist Okechukwu Nzelu.

Additional activities include a calligraphy workshop with Razwan Ul-Haq and wellbeing workshops with local practitioner Juliet Thomas.

Families will be able to enjoy free and low-cost children’s entertainment, ranging from character costume walkabouts to Crime Busting Workshops and storytelling sessions with Spider-Man.

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Special Projects

The festival will also feature several special projects and partnership events.

Highlights include performances by local organisation Conscious Youth and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Young Poet Laureates, as well as collaborations with Balbir Singh Dance Company, Dark Horse Theatre, Give… a Few Words, MACFEST, Radio Sangam, and West Yorkshire Print Workshop.

The Schools Programme, which last year reached around 5,000 primary and senior school students in Huddersfield, will continue to be a significant component of the festival.

Commitment to Accessibility

In line with its commitment to accessibility, the festival will include online and hybrid events, subtitled sessions, and AccessAble access guides to key venues.

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Gratitude for Support

In addition to Arts Council England funding, HuddLitFest is grateful for grants from the University of Huddersfield’s School of Arts & Humanities, support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for a project of workshops for young people, and contributions from the One17 Charitable Trust, which is supporting the Schools Programme.

The festival also acknowledges the funded and in-kind sponsorship and support from Kirklees College, Wilkinson Woodward, Longley Farm, Sleigh & Story, and Ravenhall Risk Solutions.

Looking Ahead

The first events will be available to view and book on the festival’s website before the end of the year. More information will be announced soon.

For more details and to keep up to date with future announcements, visit the Huddlitfest website.