Spread the word: Newham Word Festival returns with events online and in person across the borough - 21 June – 4 July 2021.
A vibrant celebration of the written and spoken word, Newham Word Festival, funded by Newham Council, returns for its third year in summer 2021 with events online and in person. Join poets, authors, artists, performers, musicians and more to be part of this inspiring tribute to all things word. There will be creative workshops and live art, debates and discussions, author talks and poetry breakfasts and much, much more.
Cllr Charlene McLean, Deputy Mayor and lead member for community neighbourhoods said; “This is the third fantastic year of the Newham Word Festival, and as we emerge from full lock-down it is a time to reflect for all of us.
“This year’s Festival will reflect the transition we are going through – with both in-person and virtual events.
“Never in my lifetime has the power of the word, both written and spoken, been clearer. As we were separated physically, so our dependence on speaking and writing grew.
“That’s why this year’s Festival is so important. We should celebrate together. ‘We Are Newham’ and we communicate.”
Newham Word Festival proudly celebrates artists from near and far, those at the peak of their careers or those just starting out. This year some socially-distanced events will be held in venues across the borough, whilst others will be online.
Event information and booking at NewhamWordFestival.org.
Newham Word Festival’s varied range of exciting events include:
Esteemed author Michael Rosen sharing his experience of nearly dying, as he battled Covid-19, in a collection of poetry, emails from his wife Emma and moving letters from nurses from the intensive care ward where he lay in a coma - Online
A celebration of emerging talent and the voices of London-based women writers with Natasha Brown (Assembly), Abi Daré (The Girl with The Louding Voice) Catherine Menon (Fragile Monsters) and Hafsa Zayyan (We are all Birds of Uganda) - In person and livestreamed online
Authors Vaseem Khan and Kia Abdullah discussing the rising stars of Asian Noir, the 'magic formula' that distinguishes the genre, and their favourite titles - Online
Award winning children’s author Nathan Bryon and illustrator Dapo Adeola talking about their latest book Clean Up! - Online
A fantastical shadow puppet show The Girl and the Dragon voiced by the delightfully talented Niall Moorjani and Minnie Wilkinson, and featuring music from Tom Birch - Online
A performance evening and publication launch of cut up my soul and keep it with Sonic Gaze, taking place at sundown and featuring multi-dimensional immersive projection of visual work - In person
