One for the school diaries

Monday 07 September 2015

Schools are being urged to bookmark some dates in their diaries so that children can meet some award winning authors and poets coming over for the Island’s first big literary festival.

Connections: Jersey Festival of Words 2015 kicks off at the end of this month and hundreds of children are already signed up to some of the free events being staged at Jersey Opera House.

Almost 600 are off to a presentation by children’s writer Steven Butler and nearly 400 will be hearing from authors Holly Smale and Jess Bright.

State Street’s Managing Director Mike Newton said: “It’s fantastic news that so many children will be able to experience these events first hand and its exactly why we were keen as an organisation to support the Festival. These events not only promote the joy of reading to youngsters of all ages, but should also provide a superb introduction to the creative writing process which may also act as an inspiration to some potential writers of the future.”

The five day Festival runs from 30 September to 4 October and includes in-school workshops as well as the shows at the Opera House when students will get to meet, hear and question several renowned children’s authors.

It aims to promote literature for all ages, and includes presentations, talks, adult literacy initiatives as well as events for schools.

The organisers want it to be an annual event that helps to attract the flourishing British book festival market to Jersey and will enrich cultural life in the Island.

You can find out more about the schools’ programme on the Festival website here.