This year's lineup boasts an impressive array of headline acts, including the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, beloved presenters like Gyles Brandreth, Clare Balding, Melanie Sykes, Anton Du Beke, and Helen Skelton, as well as literary giants such as Jeanette Winterson, Jacqueline Wilson, and Monica Ali. With themes that span the 'State of the Nation,' 'Explore Moor' (an exploration of the natural world), and 'Food for Thought,' the 2023 festival program promises a diverse range of literary experiences that Ilkley Literature Festival is known for.
Erica Morris, the Director of Ilkley Literature Festival, shares her excitement about the "Explore Moor" theme, a nod to the famous Ilkley Moor. This theme encourages audiences to venture into uncharted literary territory, inspired by nature and the great outdoors. Literature, as Morris notes, has long drawn inspiration from the natural world, making it a wonderful way to showcase the beauty of landscapes through the pages of a book.
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Ray Mears, the renowned authority on bushcraft famous for TV shows like 'Bushcraft,' 'World of Survival,' and 'Ray Mears Goes Walkabout,' will present "The British Woodland." In this presentation, Mears will guide audiences on how to harmoniously coexist with nature, emphasizing the significance of our relationship with the environment for our well-being and the future of the planet.
Animal enthusiasts can join TV presenter Clare Balding, who will discuss our four-legged heroes in her latest book, 'Isle of Dogs.' Sophie Pavelle, a science communicator with a degree in Zoology, will present 'Forget Me Not,' sharing her journey in search of animals and habitats threatened by climate change.
Tom Lonsdale will provide insights into 'Creating the Stanza Stones Poetry Trail.' This remarkable project, stretching 50 miles across the Pennine Hills, was a collaborative effort between Simon Armitage and Ilkley Literature Festival. It involved finding suitable sites, appointing a letter cutter to carve the poems, and devising the walking trail. Tom will share fascinating stories and photographs from the trail while exploring the profound connection between the Pennine landscape, its water, and the rocks that now adorn the moors.
Emma Reynolds will discuss how we can shape the future and protect our planet through her new graphic novel, 'Draw to Change the World: 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists.' In partnership with Climate Action Ilkley, this event offers audiences a chance to participate in a comic-making workshop and witness the transformative power of imagination, storytelling, and art in envisioning a sustainable future.
Award-winning photographer Rich Bunce, known as the Walking Photographer, will host 'Walking Photography Workshops,' teaching attendees how to see the world through a camera lens and create captivating images during a relaxed local walk.
Poet Emma Conally-Barklem will lead a writing 'walkshop' during her 'Explore and Reflect Nature Writing Workshop,' offering participants an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while crafting their prose.
For virtual attendees, there's the opportunity to download and listen to 'Soundlandscape: Shadows on Shadows,' an immersive audio drama set in the wild moors, right from the comfort of your own home. You can also delve into the making of this unique soundscape during 'The Making of Soundlandscape,' which provides insights into the creation process, from researching the Brontës to the challenges of crafting a theatrical experience within the literary landscapes of Haworth and Ilkley.
Lev Parikian invites festival-goers to 'Take Flight' as he explores the world of butterflies and bees, delving into the fascinating evolution of flying species, from crested dinosaurs to the wonders of dragonflies.
Physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski presents 'Blue Machine,' a deep dive into the mysteries of the ocean, which covers 70% of the Earth's surface. Czerski will elucidate how the ocean influences everything from animals and weather to human history and culture.
In addition to these captivating events, the festival is offering outdoor workshops on bird watching and writing about the wild, providing a hands-on opportunity for attendees to connect with nature while honing their literary skills.
To learn more about the Ilkley Literature Festival and book your tickets, visit ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk or call the Box Office at 01943 816714. Don't miss this literary extravaganza celebrating the confluence of words and nature in the heart of Yorkshire's picturesque Ilkley.
