Poet who paid tribute to city after bomb will head festival
THE poet who performed a poignant rallying cry after the Manchester Arena terror attack is to headline this year’s Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival.
Tony ‘Longfella’ Walsh read his moving poem This is the Place in Albert Square the day after the bombing in May which claimed 22 lives.
The thousands who attended the vigil roared their approval at the poem that pays a uniquely Mancunian tribute to the city.
Organisers say Walsh will be writing and performing a new poem for the festival.
Also on the bill for the seven day festival is talk show legend Michael Parkinson, who will be looking back at his life and career interviewing some of the most important cultural figures of our time, including Muhammed Ali, Orson Welles and Woody Allen.
With his son Mike, he will show highlights from the Parkinson archive, while re-living the best moments from the show.
And comedian Jenny Eclair, who performed a sell-out show at Middleton Arena during last year’s festival and vowed to return, will be back in more intimate surroundings talking about her new collection of short stories, Listening In, based on the BBC Radio 4 Series Little Lifetimes.
The book comprises tales from the mouths of many different (mostly furious) middle aged women
The festival will run from October 17-23.
Events will include drama, comedy, poetry, spoken word, visual arts and children’s shows.
Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “Five years in, our wonderful festival continues to inspire and entertain, attracting some fantastic guests.
“It brings together so many genres and really makes you think. We’re going to be taking the festival to different places around the borough too, showcasing more great venues.
“I want to thank our sponsors for their continued generous support of the festival which helps us to deliver a fabulous event we can all be proud of.”
Further details of the programme will be announced next month and tickets go on sale from 10am on August 7 at rochdaleliteraturefestival. co.uk.
The festival is organised by Rochdale council, supported by the Maskew Bequest and sponsored by The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre and creative digital media company JGM Agency. ●●Poet Tony Walsh spoke at a vigil in Manchester’s Albert Square, in honour of the 22 people killed in the terror attack at the Manchester Arena