When Norwich became England’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012, the future of this city and its literary prowess was just as important as its literary heritage..
We all have a story. We like to tell stories, share stories and write stories. Storytelling is certainly not a pastime to be kept within the pages of a book. Norwich’s stories are told through our architecture, history, sketched pavement slabs, blue plaques, film, music, performance, museums, urban art, culture, and people.
But stories are everywhere – in our villages, towns, cities and counties – the world in fact. They are not particular to Norwich. But what is particular to Norwich is how we share our stories and the mediums we use to tell them far and wide. How we present our city, and our identity can have far reaching results – we want people to feel something good, something powerful.
Born out of our UNESCO City of Literature status came The National Centre for Writing – the only one of its kind in the country. It’s our custodian if you will. This is the organisation whose role is to push and pull in the literary world – to marry heritage with innovation and change. To see the big picture and to widen the literary landscape so it is accessible and attractive to everyone, whatever age. They have a massive job on their hands, it all takes time.
The National Centre for Writing have delivered and achieved, making huge inroads showcasing the breadth of the city’s ambition and creativity. This year they received funding for a new short-term role to work exclusively on our UNESCO status – there are now 53 Cities of Literature, spanning 39 countries and six continents. In the UK we have five cities – Nottingham, Edinburgh, Exeter and Manchester.
As I said, the National Centre for Writing has a considerable job on their hands to realise new ideas and make things happen, they work in partnership with many people and organisations.
Norwich is a hugely collaborative city. VisitNorwich works with the Centre helping to spread the word about their extensive programme of events, their work, and Dragon Hall, which is their home. This summer they opened Dragon Hall for free (selected days) to visitors to discover more about this incredible medieval trading hall which is hugely important in our history and the textile trade Norwich was once famed for. They have a beautiful garden; anyone is invited to come along and enjoy. Plus, a free monthly tour and a free monthly evening social where anyone whether a writer, reader, translator or creative can meet new people in the city. They also offer free school holiday activities and free Writers’ Rooms for anyone who needs some space and quiet time to get on. There’s also plenty of online and face-to-face workshops and courses.
Businesses across Norwich take inspiration from our literary heritage which gives them opportunities to take the story further which has indeed happened over the past twelve years.
We now have a Book Bench Trail (a collaboration between the Norwich Business Improvement District, Norwich City Council, Norfolk Country Council, The National Centre for Writing and the European Experience fund) across the city centre with one book bench also situated on the campus of the UEA. The benches designed in wood and stone, attractive in their own right, are here as a celebration of our local writers and authors as well as people who have arrived in the area and stayed. They remind us daily of our 900-year-old literary city – its something to be very proud of.
Paul Dickson, local guide, created a fascinating City of Stories walking tour and includes visits to sites where the amazing lives of women such as Amelia Opie, Harriet Martineau and Anna Sewell are commemorated.
Six times a year, Norwich Arts Centre presents True Stories Live where anecdotal stories from people like you are told. These evenings are often emotional and unpredictable. There is no audition process, you just need to send in your story for them to consider. This is a brave and probably liberating experience and absolutely anyone can apply whether you are an entertainer, public speaker, or have never ‘got up anywhere’ and spoken. Tickets to these events range from £6.50 – £12.50 and can be booked on their website.
But new kid on the block is this month’s inaugural Norwich Book Festival from The Forum. Taking place 24 – 27 October, Norwich’s newest festival now gives us a trio of big events throughout the year with the National Centre for Writing’s City of Literature Weekend at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival each May, and the UEA’s UEA Live programme of ‘authors, ideas and experiences’ in spring and autumn.
So, what’s in store at Norwich Book Festival? For starters, over 4 days there is a packed choice of events and things to do – some free, some ticketed. Rowan Whiteside of The Forum said, “This is an inclusive festival that celebrates the power of stories and the ways they shape and change our lives and invites everybody to be part of the celebration. It has been developed in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Libraries, and booksellers from across Norwich, amongst others.”
There is a diverse programme of author events. For starters don’t miss the voice of sport celebrating four decades of writing and talking about boxing at Steve Bunce: My Life in Boxing (24 October, The Forum, 7pm, £18). And on the same evening Natalie Lawrence: Enchanted Creatures (Waterstones, 7pm, £6). This will be a gripping evening of storytelling about monsters, myths, and creatures of our imagination. On the 25th follows Alison Weir: Mary 1st, Tudor Queen (The Forum, 7pm, £8) talking about the drama and tragedy of how a princess with such promise became the infamous Bloody Mary. Then Diarmaid MacCulloch Sex & Christianity (St Peter Mancroft, 8pm, £16) where the best-selling historian will tackle one of the most controversial topics in history in his much anticipated new book, Lower Than The Angels.
Over the weekend of the 26th and 27th October visit The Imaginarium at The Forum (free, 10am-4pm) for lots of fantastic hands-on activities, stalls, storytelling, and more for all ages! This is very nicely timed for the first weekend of half-term. It has to be said – The Forum’s work for creating amazing events for families is legendary. It won’t be long now before we are in February for Norwich Science Festival! And in between we have one of their most fun events, Santa’s Grotto for Dogs, where they even take care of our four-legged friends.
Finally, back to books – I’m getting a ticket to Crime Brunch (The Forum, £16, 10.30am) for murders, Bloody Marys, and breakfast baps to enjoy a taste of contemporary crime writing with Nilesha Chauvet, Catherine Steadman and Andew Child.
At the time of writing this the programme was still being finalised so please look at the website for more events – https://theforumnorwich.co.uk/whats-on/norwich-book-festival.
For ideas of where to shop, eat, stay and visit in Norwich and Norfolk go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk
