Poet helps creativity
man growing up in New York City in the 60s and young people growing up in Gateshead today is what Words Weekend is all about.
“Words and stories have the power to unite communities and ignite imaginations, plus they’re a real social leveller; you don’t need expensive equipment or a fancy degree to write, just an idea and a pen and paper – and it’s even easier read or listen.”
The Words Festival, which includes more than 65 events and workshops over the weekend of December 6-8, is being organised by Fane Productions.
Additions to previously announced events include writer and editor Nikesh Shukla, who will be joining Kerry Hudson in conversation about identity, poverty, and social activism in modern Britain.
Labour MP Jess Phillips will be joining Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail Live, inspired by her hugely popular book and podcast, for an uplifting and reassuring evening about growing from our mistakes and not being afraid.
Laura Jane Williams will be joining Marian Keyes in conversation as they discuss their writing careers and experiences as titans of the industry.
Words Weekend ambassador and TV historian David Olusoga who was raised in Gateshead, will discuss the past, present and future of the North East alongside author of The Northumbrians Dan Jackson.
A whole host of events for children, meanwhile include live ‘draw-alongs,’ quizzes and games with former Blue Peter presenter and author Konnie Huq.
Creative workshops from Seven Stories National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle will give children a chance to explore Michael Morpurgo’s archive of notebooks and manuscripts, create work inspired by Newcastleborn David Almond, and learn about writing and illustration from Roisin Crowley Linton and Rob Biddulph.
In a very special event, local children from Chillingham Road Primary School will deliver impassioned speeches they have prepared about issues important to them, inspired by Martin Luther King’s activist speech at Newcastle University in 1967.
The Words Weekend at Sage Gateshead from December 6-8 is the first in a series that will take place across the UK celebrating the power of words and stories. To find out more you can visit wordsweekend.com.