SETTLE Stories should have been gearing up to welcome an exciting line up of writers, presenters and story-tellers to its Yorkshire Festival of Story next month but with the coronavirus putting a stop to live events, it will be going digital - and it will all be free.
People from across the world have already been checking out the charity’s website to find out just when they can log on and watch and listen to the likes of Radio 4 Woman’s Hour presenter, Dame Jenni Murray; the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’, Amanda Owen, and Booker Prize winner, Ben Okri.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the first of the Settle Stories festivals, and to mark the occasion, writer, Joanne Harris is its guest director, and will be kicking off the festival with an ‘in conversation with’ event.
“As festival guest director, I’m so excited to share this diverse programme, including my own events,
and invite people to have fun with us this August,” she said.
There will be more than 80 online events taking place throughout August, including ‘Breakfast with Yorkshire Women’ - Joanne Harris, Dame Jenni Murray, and The Bronte Society discussing inspirational women in the arts; and and evening of storytelling with Joanne Harris, Ben Okri and Kevin Crossley-Holland.
The writers will exchange stories that have inspired the from across the globe, and there will also be a chance for people to join in the conversation from the comfort of their living rooms, as questions will be invited.
The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen, will deliver a talk live from her farm, and the Brontë Society will explores the brilliance of Anne Bronte in her bicentenary year.
The festival will also mark the 150th anniversary of the Ribblehead Viaduct with new artists commissions, interactive events and talks, and there will also be family activities with children invited to join Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize winner, Kevin Crossley-Holland, for folk tales, and Roald Dahl themed workshops.
Nick Hennessey will deliver a storytelling performance on the unconventional dalesman, Reginald Farrer; and Scottish Kenyan storyteller, Mara Menzies will perform ‘Blood and Gold, on ancient mythology and the legacy of colonialism and slavery. To find out more, visit: yorkshirefestivalofstory.com
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