The first stars for the Huddersfield Literature Festival have been revealed.
An explorer, a renowned politician and several famed authors will preside over some of the 25 events on the initial line up for the popular arts celebration.
They will take place in several as yet unconfirmed venues across the town from March 2 to 13, to mark the 10th anniversary of the festival.
Labour MP Alan Johnson, whose memoirs became a top seller, is one of the biggest names who will appear. He will present a Harold Wilson lecture on March 11, to coincide with the centenary of the former Prime Minister’s birth in Huddersfield.
On March 5, the story of Egypt will be brought alive by TV and radio documentary maker and author Joann Fletcher.
Manchester author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay, will make an appearance on March 8, when he talks with Asfa-Wossen Asserate, an author and international political advisor on former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.
Michael Stewart, award-winning author and senior lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield, will host a workshop on March 5 and a book launch for Mr Jolly on March 9.
Huddersfield author Joanne Harris, will appear at three events on March 4 and 12.
READ MORE: Joanne Harris at Huddersfield Literature Festival 2015
LOOK BACK: At the 2015 Huddersfield Literature Festival
Dozens of other events, including interactive sessions, have also been put on the bill. A celebration of authors’ favourite books, called The Pearls’ Project, will launch the festival on March 2.
A talk on John Peel and a quiz will be on March 3, while other highlights will include a Mothers’ Day event on March 6, an evening of LGBT performers on March 7 called Polari Up North, an open mic on March 9 and a literary afternoon tea on March 13.
Two linked events will take place in February ahead of the festival.
On February 9 explorer Levison Wood, who was the first person to walk the entire length of the River Nile and turned his adventures into a Channel 4 series, will speak.
And on February 27 a host of free family activities including film screenings will be on offer at North Huddersfield Trust School.
Michelle Hodgson, festival director, said: “The 2016 festival will offer a wide range of events, including free events such as our popular ‘Family Day’, and we hope that anyone who hasn’t previously attended the festival will come along to the Preview and take a look at what’s on offer.”
The initial line-up will be available on the festival website in the future.
Go to www.litfest.org.uk
