AN award-winning Portuguese author is set to visit Jersey for the annual Festival of Words this September, it has been announced.
Lídia Jorge, one of Portugal’s most acclaimed contemporary writers, will be in the Island on 25 and 26 September as part of a programme celebrating literature and cultural exchange for this year’s event.
She will take part in four events across the Island and engage with schoolchildren, families, the Portuguese community, and audiences at the festival, organisers said.
Her visit is being supported by the Camões Institute, a public agency dedicated to promoting the Portuguese language.
Ms Jorge is best known for her works including ‘The Murmuring Coast’ and ‘The Wind Whistling in the Cranes’ – both of which have earned international recognition and awards.
The programme will include a school storytelling session at Plat Douet Primary School, a reflection on her life and creative process at Hautlieu, a family event at Jersey Library discussing themes of identity and storytelling, and a closing conversation with Cátia Verguete at The Wellbeing Hub, finishing with a Q&A and book signing.
Cátia Verguete, Director of Camões Institute in the UK and Channel Islands, said she was grateful to the organisers “for recognising the value of including a Portuguese writer in the Festival”.
“I look forward to seeing students, families, the Portuguese community and the wider public engage with Lídia’s work and ideas,” she added.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 26 September, 13th Parish Jersey and Project Luso will be showcasing ‘Film Luso’ – a series of short films in Portuguese with English subtitles curated by Agência, the Portuguese Short Film Agency. All are suitable for family audiences.
The 11th annual Jersey Festival of Words will be taking place from 18 to 27 September, featuring more than 90 literature and storytelling-based events across the island.
More information about the programme can be found online at jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
