Thousands tuned in to the first ever digital Harrogate Literature Festival this past weekend.
The festival was forced to be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers say the event was still a success.
Viewers tuned in to the free programme of 17 events, with the digital delivery allowing book lovers from across the UK to engage with prominent writers, politicians and journalists.
Among those who gave talks were author Matt Haig, classicist Natalie Haynes and Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David Lammy.
Although the events moved online, Harrogate International Festivals, the arts charity behind the literature festival wanted to keep the community at the heart of the project.
Hundreds of stories were submitted to the 10 Word Story competition, and over hundred books were gifted in the Raworth’s Blind Date With a Book initiative.
As author talks began, literature came to life in Harrogate with a light installation in the form of a book. The story of Harrogate, 10 word stories and traditional tales were illuminated on its pages.
The story of Harrogate was illuminated on the book’s pages.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“The light of human stories and the power of books certainly shone through, breaking down barriers of isolation and reaching new audiences, demonstrating the importance of festival in our cultural landscape.
“Ticket sales are normally a huge part of our income, but this year’s events were all free of charge. We thank those audience members who donated to our arts charity in lieu of tickets, helping us work towards bridging the financial gap, the first step to securing the future of Harrogate International Festivals.
“This was an extraordinary festival for an unpreceded year, and whilst we celebrate the success of the event – taking Harrogate to the world – in order for our arts charity to survive we need to be able to welcome the world to Harrogate. Whether that will be possible in 2021 we just don’t know.”
Traditional tales shone on Friday and Saturday night.
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Weekend of free events as Harrogate literature festival goes online
Some of the biggest names in literature, politics and broadcasting will be streamed directly into people’s homes thanks to the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.
Usually held in the town in October, the event has moved online this year and will see interviews with Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine, Rory Bremner, Jess Phillips MP and more.
From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 17 events will be held online – all free for the public to attend. Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said
“2020 has been a journey of discovery and adventure, a theme that trails through our programme. For Harrogate International Festivals, reinvention has come out of necessity to ensure survival of our arts charity and to continue in our mission to bring the very best of our events to audiences.
“Whilst there is no denying that this is a hugely challenging time for the Festival, and for artists, through our exciting digital weekend of events, bottling a taste of our usual Festival, we support authors, creators and suppliers and bring them together with audiences as community in a celebration of literature. For we have never needed stories that explore what it means to be human, more than we do now.”
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Among the novelists taking part are Bernard Cornwell, Lee Child, Ken Follett and Natalie Haynes. Former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and bestselling author Ariana Neumann will share their memoirs, while Hugo Vickers discusses the story of Gladys Deacon, Duchess of Marlborough.
David Lammy MP, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and Loyd Grossman are also included in the line-up.
Raworths managing partner Zoe Robinson said:
“The content and delivery may have gone digital, but the inspiration that literature brings will continue to shine through.
“We are once again delighted to be partnering with Harrogate International Festivals and sponsoring the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival – established as one of the leading literature festivals in the UK.”
The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival will be streamed through the Harrogate International Festivals website.
