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THE programme for the seventh annual CS Lewis Festival has been announced, with over 40 events celebrating the Belfast-born author.

The theme of this year’s festival is Through the Wardrobe, taking inspiration from Lewis’ much-loved Chronicles of Narnia and transporting those attending events into the mystical world created by the author.

The five-day festival takes place at venues across Belfast from November 22-26.

Highlights include Christmas celebrations at CS Lewis Square, a re-imagining of the author’s journey from childhood to writer at Lanyon Place railway station and a Narnia-themed treasure hunt at the EastSide Visitor Centre.

Ballyhackamore and Woodstock libraries will also host storytelling adventures for children taking them deep into the woods of CS Lewis country.

And Connswater Shopping Centre will hold an interactive musical adventure “perfect for curious souls, big and small”.

Festival director Rachel Kennedy hailed curator Jan Carson for putting together a “wonderful range of exciting and imaginative events around the theme”.

She said: “Each year we seek to showcase Lewis’s legacy, and the fantastic work of Belfast artists and writers that have followed in his footsteps. We believe we have created something very special this year.

“We would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the support of National Lottery funding through our principal funder, Arts Council Northern Ireland, funders Belfast City Council, Tourism NI and Arts & Business NI and our many sponsors, partners and supporters.

“Their ongoing commitment helps us to deliver this wonderful festival which continues to champion and celebrate the respected and much-loved citizen of Belfast — CS Lewis.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast John Finucane said: “Thanks to his Narnia books, CS Lewis is a name known across the world and, as a proud son of Belfast, he has been helping to put the city on the map for decades.

“But of course Lewis is known for much more than just writing children’s books, and the CS Lewis Festival is a fantastic way for people to explore more about his writings and learn about this much-celebrated author who hailed from east Belfast, and whose literature was inspired and shaped by that landscape.

“I’m delighted that the Arts Council is supporting the festival and it’s encouraging to see how it continues to grow, year on year, becoming a firm favourite in the city’s cultural calendar.”

The festival programme will include film screenings, talks and debates, events for children and families, visual art, literature and workshops.