CITY OF LITEr ATUrE wEEKEND

FrIDAY 26—SUNDAY 28 MAY City

Holly Ainley, Head of Programmes & Creative Engagement at National Centre for Writing,

invites you to join the conversation.

The idea that threads itself through this year’s City of Literature weekend is the power of storytelling to spark conversation. At National Centre for Writing we believe that creative writing has not only artistic but social power: encouraging discussion, fostering an exchange of views and often changing minds.

Across this weekend, you’ll find bestselling authors of fiction, nonfiction and poetry who are using their work to respond to some of the prevailing subjects today – from the natural world to art, to medicine and science. Starting conversations isn’t always easy on these subjects but is vital for re-examining long-held ideas and we’ve tried to create opportunities to hear and learn from new voices and fresh perspectives.

Through a variety of events and writing workshops we invite you to consider love, class, grief, family ties, cultural differences, and identity. We will shine a light on current thinking around the links between the scientific world and creativity, with authors who focus on the climate crisis, who work in the medical profession and who see nature as vital to our mental health.

Our aim is for you to encounter possibilities to listen, learn, be entertained; whether you decide to watch an author interview, participate in a workshop or visit our publishing fair, we’re glad you’ll be joining the conversation.

FrIDAY 26 MAY

INTrICATE wOrLDS C ALEB A ZUMAH NELSON & JYOTI PATEL

10.30am, Adnams Spiegeltent

Fathers, sons, secrets and sacrifices are explored in two beautiful new books by Caleb Azumah Nelson, the awardwinning author of Open Water, and #Merky Books debut novelist Jyoti Patel. They will discuss the common themes of their novels and how they went about crafting intimate stories of belonging and community.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

HANDLE wITH CArE WITH ROOPA FAROOKI & FIONA MASON

2pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

How can books help to address difficult conversations around life, death and grief? Dr Roopa Farooki and Fiona Mason draw on their personal and professional medical experiences to demonstrate how storytelling through fiction and memoir can reframe delicate discussions and help others to find a voice.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

ENCHANTMENT IN AN ANxIOUS AGE WITH K ATHERINE MAY

6pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

In the wake of seismic events, Katherine May, the internationally bestselling author of Wintering, explores the restorative properties of the natural world and how wonder and magic can be found in the everyday. A nourishing and uplifting discussion of beauty, meaning and enchantment in these dark times.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

Book

Loving And Living Alone With

AMY KEY & SARAH PERRY

10am, Adnams Spiegeltent

With profound candour and intimacy, Amy Key’s Arrangements in Blue explores the realities of a life lived in the absence of romantic love. Together with Sarah Perry (Melmoth), Amy will discuss painful feelings and the power of building a life on your own terms.

Tickets £10, U18/YoungNNF £7.50

HArrIET MArTINEAU LECTUrE WITH CHARLOTTE HIGGINS

12pm, Adnams Spiegeltent

The Harriet Martineau Lecture celebrates the legacy of a remarkable, world-changing woman by inviting globally-renowned radical speakers to respond to her life and work. This year’s lecture will be delivered by awardwinning author and arts journalist Charlotte Higgins on the power of art during difficult times.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

Supported by The Martineau Society

PAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 1pm, The Plantation Garden

Our shared reading event goes global! Pick a book, bring a cool drink and turn off your phone for a well-deserved detox read in the beautiful surroundings of the Plantation Garden. Simultaneous events will be taking place in UNESCO Cities of Literature across the world.

Tickets £2 donation on entry

In partnership with the Book Hive. Celebrating ten years of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature

FrOM TOY FIGHTS TO POETIC HEIGHTS WITH DON PATERSON

2.30pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Join legendary Scottish poet Don Paterson OBE, in conversation about his new memoir Toy Fights — an uproarious, tenderhearted tale of family, music, profanity and growing up in workingclass Dundee in the 1970s and 1980s. Chaired by poet and artist Ella Frears.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

Book 3+ events and get 10% off

A rEPUBLIC OF POETrY: 100 ISSUES OF THE rIALTO WITH R AYMOND ANTROBUS , HANNAH LOWE, L AURA SCOTT & RICHARD SCOTT

6pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Calling all poetry lovers! Norwich-based poetry magazine The Rialto is celebrating its 100th issue with the launch of a new anthology. Join us for a discussion with its editors Ella Frears and Will Harris plus exclusive poetry performances from Raymond Antrobus, Hannah Lowe, Laura Scott and Richard Scott. Stay for the after-party to meet the poets and toast The Rialto’s success!

Tickets £10 includes a glass of wine

SUNDAY 28 MAY wOrKSHOPS

SIr THOMAS BrOwNE: THE OPIUM OF TIME WITH DR GAvIN FRANCIS

10.30am, Adnams Spiegeltent

Bestselling writer and doctor Gavin Francis examines the extraordinary life and work of Norwich-based physician, writer, and polymath Thomas Browne through a personal, 21st century lens. From questions of faith and mortality to curious medicine, he argues that Browne’s work has lost little of its power and wisdom, and none of its beauty.

Tickets £10 U18/YoungNNF £7.50

CITY OF LITEr ATUrE PUBLISHING FAIr

10am–4pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Drop in and celebrate the vibrant independent publishing culture of the East of England. Meet the publishers, browse and purchase their work, take part in writing workshops, and listen to lightning talks from authors and publishers throughout the day.

Free no ticket required

Celebrating ten years of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature wrITING THE CLIMATE WITH SALLY O’REILLY

Friday 26 May, 10am–12pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

An introduction to climate and creativity with writer, journalist and creative writing lecturer Sally O’Reilly. Through practical exercises and discussion you will consider how your writing can address and interpret the climate crisis, and encourage readers to make changes in their own lives.

Tickets £35, £25

Ages 18+

LIFE LINES WITH FIONA MASON

Saturday 27 May, 10am–12pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Personal narratives can be informative, funny, cathartic, tragic, healing and revealing. This workshop will explore writing from lived experience, setting out tools and techniques that will help you to turn a personal account into an engaging story.

Tickets £35, £25

Ages 18+

PUSHING THE BOUNDArIES OF POETrY WITH WILL HARRIS

Saturday 27 May, 10am–12pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Learn to read, see and hear poetry differently! Will Harris, author of RENDANG (winner of the Forward Prize for Best First Collection) leads a workshop which will combine collaborative writing exercises and games with explorations of our environment, to help you push the boundaries of your poetry.

Tickets £35, £25

Ages 18+

MAKE A CONCErTINA BOOK: FAMILY-FrIENDLY wOrKSHOP WITH ROSE FEATHER

Saturday 27 May, 2pm-3.30pm or Sunday 28 May, 11am-12.30pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Let’s work together to make a concertina book! Draw, stick and fold a story inspired by the history of Dragon Hall and the objects bought and sold within it when it was a merchant’s building, hundreds of years ago. A workshop for children aged 5-11 years and their accompanying grown-ups, led by artist Rose Feather.

Tickets £5 per child (adults go free)

Book Binding With Judith

ELLIS

Sunday 28 May, 2–3.30pm, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Try your hand at bookbinding at this friendly session led by writer and professional bookbinder Judith Ellis. Whether you’re a zine maker, poet or dabble in creative nonfiction, learn how to turn your work into a simple but beautiful binding and leave with your very own book.

Tickets £15 Ages 18+

Books available to purchase at all events courtesy of The Book Hive

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