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Arts & cultural | Family friendly | Festivals

Jersey Festival of Words

This year's annual literary event will run from 15-24 September and promotes a love of the written and spoken word across our community in a variety of styles and settings, as well as welcoming internationally-renowned authors to our beautiful island.

  • Seasonal opening
  • Booking needed
16/09/2023 - 24/09/2023
Details

Price: Up to £15

More Information

The guiding principle of our festival is to celebrate the pleasure and power of words in all its forms, with something to include people of all ages and backgrounds.

Venues this year include the Jersey Arts Centre, Freedom Centre and the Jersey Library and features a wide range of talks, readings and performances from poet Laureate Simon Armitage, renowned children's author Michael Morpurgo, actress and writer Sheila Hancock and many many more.

Information and booking links for over 60 events can be found at www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org.

Dates
  • September:
  • 23rd September 2023
    12:00 - 21:00
  • 24th September 2023
    12:00 - 21:00
Opening Information

We are open:
September

Key Features
  • Indoor
  • Family friendly
  • Wheelchair access
  • Hearing loop

Offers and events

JFoW – Ana Sampson: Night Feeds and Morning Songs

Join local poet Traci O’Dea in-conversation with acclaimed anthologist Ana Sampson. This poignant collection of raw and captivating poems explores the journey of motherhood, from pregnancy to empty nests.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Ana Sampson: Demystifying Publicity

Ana has worked as a book publicist for 20+ years and is also an author, so she speaks with the experience and knowledge of both. Join her as she spills the beans on the role of the Publicity department in a publishing house and how you can promote your own books.

from £7

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Sophie Pavelle: Forget Me Not

Join Sophie Pavelle in conversation with local ecologist John Pinel during the Jersey Festival of Words. Her funny and insightful book Forget Me Not charts her low-carbon journey across Britain travelling on foot, by bicycle, electric car, kayak, ferry, and train.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Beano’s 85th Anniversary

Come and join the mischief in this interactive session with two of the editors of the Beano, Craig Graham and Mike Stirling.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 24 2023

JFoW – Cathy Rentzenbrink: Writing Workshop

The Joy and Pain of Editing - Editing is both painful and joyous. In this session Cathy Rentzenbrink will share the strategies that help her move quickly through the pain and into the joy.

from £20
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Andy Gilson: German Occupation of Jersey

Agriculture and Survival in a Time of War: In this book, local Historian Andy Gilson examines the relationship between the German Military Government and the civilian Government and civil service in Jersey, and how they had to work together to ensure the islands survival through its farming industry.

Free entry

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Words of Women

Through the words of women in poems, letters and extracts, Susanna MacRae (soprano and Royal College of Music graduate) and pianist Claire Habbershaw (pianist and Guildhall Scholar) explore the relationship between music and literature.

from £10
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Michael Morpurgo: Tales of Shakespeare

Michael Morpurgo, in his inimitable warm and accessible style, introduces his wonderful collection of Shakespeare retellings. This is the perfect introduction to the Bard and an unmissable book for children.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 24 2023

JFoW – Antonia Windsor: Travel Writing Workshop

Do you dream of becoming a travel writer or starting your own travel blog. In this practical workshop, award-winning travel writer Antonia Windsor will guide you through the basics of what makes a good article.

from £15
Booking needed

Sep 24 2023

JFoW – Shakespeare, Language and Jerrias

Looking at the recently completed Jèrriais translations of A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest and the Sonnets, Geraint Jennings will explore the background and approaches to Shakespeare in the Islands' vernaculars.

from £6
Booking needed

Sep 24 2023

JFoW – Cathy Rentzenbrink: How To Feel Better

In conversation with Festival vice-chair Paul Bisson, bestselling author (and Festival Patron) Cathy Rentzenbrink shares the advice from her latest book How to Feel Better, that has seen her through life's ups and downs.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 24 2023

JFoW – Holly Smale: Autism and Literary Narrative

Holly Smale will be discussing novels, autism and literary narrative with Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow (author of All the Little Bird-Hearts) and the two authors will be in conversation with Lucy Cotter.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Ian MacGregor: The Lighthouse of Stalingrad

Iain MacGregor’s The Lighthouse of Stalingrad reveals new insights into the iconic battle of the Second World War and during this event, Ian will be doing a deepdive on the historical events that shaped our future.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Sophie Cousens and Laura Carter

Join New York Times bestselling author, Sophie Cousens and international bestselling author, Laura Carter, as they discuss their upcoming romantic comedies and the world of writing for books and screen. The authors will have advance copies of their latest novels, The Good Part (Cousens) and Two To Tango (Carter) and will be signing copies after it.

from £9
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

JFoW – Michael Morpurgo: War Horse Concert

To celebrate his 80th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his bestselling novel War Horse, Michael Morpurgo brings together words and music in this very special concert, held as part of Jersey Festival of Words and sponsored by HIGHVERN.

from £15
Booking needed

Sep 23 2023

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Phillips Street entrance

Jersey Arts Centre

Jersey Arts Centre exists to foster the development and celebration of the arts island-wide and beyond. To enrich the quality of life for all residents and visitors. To encourage participation in the performing, visual and literary arts. To educate, inspire and to encourage debate.

Free entry