Fighting talk as War Horse author heads to VE Day fest
Bestselling children’s writer Michael Morpurgo will be among the guests at a special literary event in Kent for families on VE Day.
The author of War Horse is coming to the county in May to launch a day of themed family activities at Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival. The four-day event, in Edenbridge, takes place over the first May Bank holiday weekend, which has been moved this year to coincide with the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
As it coincides with the 75th anniversary of VE Day - or Victory in Europe Day - on Friday, May 8 there is a distinct wartime theme to this year’s festival.
And among the special guests on Friday’s family day will be the War Horse author, who will talk to children and their families about his many books, set in both the First and Second World Wars, and why he feels so strongly about depicting these events for children today.
The theme will continue with children’s authors Anna Fargher and Lucy Strange talking about their novels which recreate life during the Second World War through the eyes of animals and children.
There will also be 1940s songs, Lindy Hop dancing, a street party and the Last Post sounded at 3pm.
On top of that, clay modelling sessions with Aardman Animations will be on offer, as well as stories, songs and theatre company performances.
Thursday, May 7 is reserved for schools but highlights for visitors on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 include appearances by ex-editor of Vogue Alexandra Shulman and bestselling writers Maggie O’Farrell and Joanna Trollope.
Tickets, from £7 to £14, will be available online from March 15 via www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/literary_ festival