It is a year when the nation’s thoughts will turn to remembrance as events get underway to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

And it is a theme which has certainly inspired the organisers of Huddersfield Literature Festival who have chosen remembrance as its main motif.

Top authors, storytelling, poetry performance and creative writing workshops will ensure that the festival has something to offer everyone.

This year’s festival, which runs from March 6-16 March, will welcome Booker Prize nominee Jim Crace who recently announced his retirement from writing, as well as writers Kate Adie and Joanne Harris.

It will once again feature the popular Manga Con – this year in a new venue at the University of Huddersfield, which was recently voted University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards.

For music lovers there is a choice of music, dance and storytelling from the Annapurna Indian Dance company, a Darwin Sea Shanty event and a talk from Jazz Summers – the former manager of Wham! and the Verve – which will be followed by an 80s tribute band and club night at the Rock Café.

Joanne Harris
Joanne Harris

There will be storytelling at the Tolson Museum, a one-woman show from Sunny Ormonde – The Archers’ outrageous Lilian Bellamy – an open mic event with Talking Zebras and a Meet the Agent & Editor event with senior figures from the publishing world.

The festival will once again take over PechaKucha at the Media Centre, with speakers presenting 20 slides each in 20 seconds – one of the most popular events at the 2013 festival.

There’s also a coup for the festival in that it will host Polari Up North.

London’s Polari literary salon has recently named one of the world’s best LGBT events. ït began six years ago in the upstairs room of a pub in Soho and is now housed at the Southbank Centre where events are held every month.

Polari Up North is the first time this event has ever been held north of Watford. It will be hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston and will showcase the work of Mari Hannah, Keith Jarrett, VG Lee and Adam Lowe.

Poet and festival patron Lemn Sissay will round off the festival, headlining an afternoon of events focusing on human rights, including stories of British soldiers in the First World War.

And a post festival Literary Afternoon Tea will feature best-selling authors Marina Lewycka and Matt Haig, among others.

There will be at least 25 events at a dozen venues across the town. Go to www.litfest.org.uk for a full list of festival events.