'Spread The Word' Literary Festival
Date: 6 February 2024 - 11 February 2024
Venue: Waterside Theatre, Glendermott Road, Derry-Londonderry, Derry-Londonderry, BT47 6BG
'Spread the Word' is a multi-disciplinary, multi-platform, multi-age, cross-community literary festival that will highlight the importance of reading, writing and literature which will run from 6th-11th February in the Waterside Theatre and in a number of partner venues, including Little Acorns Bookstore, Void Art Centre, Offing Coffee, Strabane & Derry Central Libraries, The Hidden City Cafe and local schools. Headline acts this year include; Martin Doyle the author of the book that everyone is talking about, 'Dirty Linen', Nathan Anthony (Bored of Lunch); multi best selling crime authors, Sam Blake and Brian McGilloway; renowned Irish surfer, author, artist and marine social scientist Easkey Britton; mother, writer and grower, Kerri ní
The Waterside Theatre are delighted to announce that, with support from Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, our 'Spread The Word' Literary Festival is back this February 2024!
'Spread the Word' is a multi-disciplinary, multi-platform, multi-age, cross-community literary festival that will highlight the importance of reading, writing and literature which will run from 6th-11th February in the Waterside Theatre and in a number of partner venues, including Little Acorns Bookstore, Void Art Centre, Offing Coffee, Strabane & Derry Central Libraries, The Hidden City Cafe and local schools.
'Spread The Word' promises to offer something for everyone as it platforms new, established, local and national literary voices through a series of talks and discussion events as well as professional development and networking opportunities. Our festival will also include creative workshops for all ages exploring illustration, animation, creative writing and lyric writing, immersive storytelling sessions, premier rehearsed readings and cosy reading corners.
Programme acts include: number 1 best selling author and creator of the hit food platform, Nathan Anthony (Bored of Lunch); multi best selling crime authors, Sam Blake and Brian McGilloway; the author of the book that everyone is talking about, 'Dirty Linen', Martin Doyle; renowned Irish surfer, author, artist and marine social scientist Easkey Britton; mother, writer and grower, Kerri ní Dochartaigh; spoken word artist, writer, playwright/theatre-maker, multimedia artist and actor, Mel Bradley; illustrator Grace Fairley; children's book author, Marianne McShane; award winning Young Adult authors, Sue Divin, Kelly McCaughrain and Jenny Ireland; Derry singer-songwriter, ROE; and much more!
"The impressive range of literary genres covered this year, from children's storytelling and YA literature to cookery books, songwriting and most everything in between, means that there really is something here that will appeal to people's interests. Diversity and inclusion are core values at the Waterside Theatre, and this festival delivers!" said Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland
The Waterside Theatre is supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council and the International Fund for Ireland.