So it seems that the literary festival, as a concept, is really strengthening its presence within the London landscape, and England more generally, which is so fantastic to see. Previously dominated entirely by the music scene, the 'festival' has now taken on so many dimensions that it really becomes an arena for everyone to enjoy. And that's the idea - get everyone involved, whether their love is for music, food, art, or literature. If only the British weather would provide a slightly better setting in which to stage these festivals, but maybe that's asking a bit too much? British weather just retains that ever so precarious demeanor, almost like a sulky teenager, you just never know when it is going to snap out of the moody spell and brighten the fuck up.
Anyway, a hell of a lot going on this summer - the Stoke Newington Literary Festival, Hay Festival, and the Love Charing Cross Road festival. I was reading about this the other day, and I love the sheer determination and resolve to keep the Charing Cross area alive, to increase its vibrancy and create a literary buzz about the place, by staging its first literary festival. This is in direct response to disruption in the area, caused by Crossrail works.
'Shops in the Oxford Street end of the road have suffered a 10 per cent fall in business and expect the decline to continue because the works won't be completed for another three years (Evening Standard).'
But rather than admit defeat, companies in the street plan to launch a festival in celebration of this area's profound literary and musical heritage. Such a fantastic attitude, and totally inspiring. Of course this is only a temporary disruption, as Crossrail will in fact increase footfall to the area, but this will not happen until 2015, so in the meantime it is important to keep a buzz about the place and really set it up for the future.
Love Charing Cross Road aims to become an annual event, the inaugural event falling on Saturday 30th June. The festival will include live music as well as talks from authors, and my favourite part - Blackwell's staff will don white coats to become Book Doctors. They will 'consult' customers in helping them to find suitable books, and a diagnosis to their book ailments. Yes that was a horrible attempt at a medical analogy I know, but I couldn't help myself.
Anyway, this is clearly a brilliant event, and there are so many others out there this summer, so do get involved. I am volunteering with the Books for London campaign, which aims to roll out a book-swapping initiative across the London railway network and will be making the most of these literary events, so come and find out what we're all about, and enjoy the literary scene.
Anyway, a hell of a lot going on this summer - the Stoke Newington Literary Festival, Hay Festival, and the Love Charing Cross Road festival. I was reading about this the other day, and I love the sheer determination and resolve to keep the Charing Cross area alive, to increase its vibrancy and create a literary buzz about the place, by staging its first literary festival. This is in direct response to disruption in the area, caused by Crossrail works.
'Shops in the Oxford Street end of the road have suffered a 10 per cent fall in business and expect the decline to continue because the works won't be completed for another three years (Evening Standard).'
But rather than admit defeat, companies in the street plan to launch a festival in celebration of this area's profound literary and musical heritage. Such a fantastic attitude, and totally inspiring. Of course this is only a temporary disruption, as Crossrail will in fact increase footfall to the area, but this will not happen until 2015, so in the meantime it is important to keep a buzz about the place and really set it up for the future.
Love Charing Cross Road aims to become an annual event, the inaugural event falling on Saturday 30th June. The festival will include live music as well as talks from authors, and my favourite part - Blackwell's staff will don white coats to become Book Doctors. They will 'consult' customers in helping them to find suitable books, and a diagnosis to their book ailments. Yes that was a horrible attempt at a medical analogy I know, but I couldn't help myself.
Anyway, this is clearly a brilliant event, and there are so many others out there this summer, so do get involved. I am volunteering with the Books for London campaign, which aims to roll out a book-swapping initiative across the London railway network and will be making the most of these literary events, so come and find out what we're all about, and enjoy the literary scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment