Festival of Words cancelled due to Covid uncertainty

Festival of Words cancelled due to Covid uncertainty

The organising committee said that they had made the decision to abandon the event, which was due to span five days from 23 September, having consulted their partner venues.

‘Given social-distancing requirements, travel restrictions and future uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, we had little choice but to put this year’s festival on hold,’ chairwoman Jennifer Bridge said.

However, the committee is already beginning to plan next year’s event and says that they have secured the agreement of a number of sponsors to move their support to 2021. ‘Obviously we’re disappointed,’ said Ms Bridge. ‘This year’s line-up was looking particularly strong, though we’re pleased to have had some authors confirming that they are willing to attend next year’s festival instead.’

The Jersey Festival of Words has become an established fixture in Jersey’s autumn cultural calendar since its first appearance in 2015.

Operating from a number of venues, including the Jersey Opera House, the Arts Centre and the Jersey Library, the festival has combined a programme of readings and discussions with practical workshops to encourage local creative writers.

A key strand has been a programme for schools which has seen several thousand pupils attending readings by leading authors each year. Previous speakers have included Richard Dawkins, Jenny Eclair, Konnie Huq and Michael Morpurgo.

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