Arts & cultural | Family friendly | Festivals
Jersey Festival of Words
This year's annual literary event will run from 20-29 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
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 and features a wide range of talks, readings, performances and more.
Information and booking links for over 60 events can be found at www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
- September:
-
20th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
21st September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
22nd September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
23rd September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
24th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
25th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
26th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
27th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
28th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00 -
29th September 2024
12:00 - 21:00
We are open:
September
- Indoor
- Family friendly
- Wheelchair access
- Hearing loop
Offers and events
JFoW | Kathy Lette: The Revenge Club
Cathy Rentzenbrink will be in conversation with celebrated and outspoken comedic writer and performer Kathy Lette about her twentieth novel, The Revenge Club. This book delivers another subversive irreverent romp from the international bestselling author and broadcast journalist, whose first book Puberty Blues was published when she was just 17.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Jay Flynn: The Quizmaster
Jay will be talking about his journey to becoming the ‘nation’s quizmaster’ as well as hosting a live quiz (all questions written by him) for all audience members. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, having lost the pub that he ran with his wife, Jay Flynn set up a quiz night on Facebook for the local community but forgot to mark it private...
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Sam McAlister: SCOOPS
Join this engaging talk on how 1 person was able to push her way into Buckingham Palace to secure a BAFTA winning interview. Depicted in her autobiographical book Scoops, come along to hear behind-the-scenes tales of the ruthless nature of working in the media, offering a raw account of the human experience of producing such high-profile interviews
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Spark & Flow: An Evening of Poetry
After publishing award-winning research on vaginas, vulvas and wellbeing, Emilie Epperlein had a creative calling ... and has been on the cutting edge of feminist poetry ever since. Her words have been seen on the back of London cab seats, featured on the Sky Arts' BAFTA-winning show ‘Life and Rhymes’ and heard across the UK.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Guided Tree Walk
Join Amanda as she guides a walk at beautiful Val de la Mare Arboretum, using some of the techniques Tristan Gooley writes about in How to Read A Tree. This will be a slow, gentle meander, focusing on a sensory journey connecting with the trees. The event will run for 2.5-3 hours and will include a cup of foraged herbal tea and a homemade cake.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Cathy Rentzebrink: Ordinary Time
Join Festival Patron Cathy Rentzenbrink as she discusses her latest novel, Ordinary Time with Festival regular Andrew Davey. This book forces the reader to face up to the truly important questions around friendship, marriage, forgiveness and redemption whilst empathising with the honesty of character.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Jèrriais Deepdive with Geraint Jennings
As the Italian saying goes: traduttore traditore (the translator is a traitor). Geraint Jennings will betray some of the secrets of his Jèrriais translations. The game is afoot, so let's go down the rabbit hole of meaning and nonsense with a book of verses underneath the bough, a jug of wine, a loaf of bread ... and some readings.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Owning Your Menopause with Kate Rowe-ham
Kate Rowe-Ham is a renowned personal trainer, regularly appearing on national TV and radio, in her crusade to help women combat menopause and perimenopause symptoms through exercise and lifestyle. Join BBC Radio’s Sara Palmer, who will be in conversation with Kate, for what will no doubt be an empowering event full of inspirational advice.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Life Writing Workshop with Wendy Falla
Life Writing covers many forms. Are you being held back because you don’t know where to start? Stop aimlessly writing in circles and understand the essential elements to make YOUR life story captivating e.g. what to include, what to leave out. Memory - how reliable is it? Whether writing for self, family or a wider audience, start now with focus.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Mary Horlock & Ben Hinshaw: Island Fever
Island Fever will see Chris Stone (BBC Radio Jersey) interview two Channel Island-raised authors, Ben Hinshaw and Mary Horlock, as they discuss their respective new books Exactly What you Mean and The Stranger’s Companion.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Save Me from The Waves
From sea to summit, Jessica Hepburn tells tales from her new book Save Me From the Waves, which charts her journey of survival, endurance and personal growth. An unlikely athlete, Hepburn hates exercise, only discovering its assets when she she finds herself heartbroken and in her forties.
Sep 29 2024
JFoW | How to Read a Tree
You’ll never look at a tree the same way after listening to international bestselling author Tristan Gooley on his latest book How to Read a Tree. From learning how a tree can point north, or how the veins in a leaf could lead you to running water, Gooley’s talk will offer a different perspective on the trees we look at everyday.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | The Breakup Monologues
Award-winning comedian Rosie Wilby shares funny, bizarre and poignant tales of heartbreak and recovery with special guest Cathy Rentzenbrink in a live recording of her acclaimed podcast. Rosie has been obsessively researching the psychology of love for a decade and has even been dubbed the ‘the queen of breakups’ by BBC Radio 4.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | An Introduction to The Divine Comedy
During this talk, Katie Bastiman will provide an introduction to Dante’s great poem, explore the wide range of artistic works that have taken inspiration from the Comedy over the centuries, and highlight some life lessons from Dante which are still relevant today.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Four Shots in The Dark
Four Shots in the Night is Henry Hemming’s latest novel compiling secrets and betrayal. Thrillingly, Hemming’s book bares all, revealing the true story of the murder of an undercover British agent who was at the centre of a complex web of lies, and how it became the largest murder investigation in British history.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | How AI Ate The World
Join journalist Chris Stokel-Walker as he explores critical questions about the AI revolution and its daily impact on all of us. Learn about the insider intel shared with Stokel-Walker by the likes of Google and OpenAI who built Bard and ChatGPT.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | The Climate Majority Project
The Climate Majority Project is a collaborative anthology aiming to inspire a vital new wave of mainstream citizen climate action amid intensifying ecological breakdown. Join us for a powerful event, which will include a presentation from co-author and editor of the book, Rosie Bell.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Jèrriais Book Launch
Come along to the latest Jèrriais book launch: The Smartest Giant in Town - inspired by the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Meet the giant, listen to storytelling and take part in activities run by the Jèrriais Teaching Service. Every family attending will receive a free copy of the book. Magnifique!
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | Island’s Biggest Booksale
Words, Words, Words… Hundreds? no; thousands? no; millions? yes; Millions of words written into beautifully crafted sentences and illuminating paragraphs creating books for information, education and pleasure – occasionally finely bound in parchment, leather or simply in highly colourful dust jackets.
Sep 28 2024 ‐ Sep 29 2024
JFoW | Storytelling Sessions: Mr Men & Little Miss
Step into the world of Mr. Men and Little Miss, and meet the brand new characters - Mr. Fib and Little Miss Surprise - in this gentle, interactive storytime led by storyteller George Hoyle. There is lots to keep little ones enchanted, including live music, sensory elements, singing and movement.
Sep 28 2024
JFoW | The Importance of Being Titled
In celebration of Kay Le Seelleur Ara’s first solo exhibition at CCA Galleries International they have invited artist, writer and lecturer Shirley MacWilliam to take a deep dive into the titles that accompany Kay’s paintings and drawings.
Sep 21 2024
JFoW | Canvassed Stories: Live Creative Collab
Jersey writers will be challenged to take part in a live creative collaboration with Jason Butler, a leading island artist. Contributors will be invited to respond in poetry or prose to the small display of his work from an ongoing series of paintings and drawings (which will form part of a large-scale exhibition) and ultimately share their pieces.
Sep 20 2024
JFoW | Wine & Write Workshop
Join us at the magical CCA Galleries International for a workshop led by the bestselling author and screenwriter Sophie Cousens, to sip and scribble together! Wine and Write is an event curated by Ellen Baker (Jersey Festival of Words Assistant) which aims to provide a welcoming and relaxed environment for young people to write creatively together.
Sep 21 2024
JFoW | The Wartime Book Club
Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.
Sep 24 2024
JFoW | Pen & Paint: Igniting Creative Passions
Dear Petrified Artist - Grab your beret, leave your inner critic at the door and join me for a workshop that’s messy, magical and mentally uplifting. Remember: “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” 🌟
Sep 24 2024
JFoW | Literary Walk with Blue Badge Guide
Join Blue Badge Guide Tom Bunting for a captivating and free Literary Walk through St. Helier as part of the 2024 Jersey Festival of Words. Discover the rich tapestry of literature and cultural influences that have shaped the island.
Sep 24 2024
JFoW | Channel Islands Monsters
Erren Michaels returns to Jersey Festival of Words with her third book Channel Island Monsters, an exquisitely illustrated collection of nineteen stories inspired by our local legendary creatures. This talk is an exploration of Jersey mythology, backed with dynamic images and original artwork. This talk is not suitable for very young children.
Sep 23 2024
JFoW | Immoralists and Drama Queens
In this talk Diane Moore presents her latest book, Immoralists and Drama Queens, which chronicles the visits to Jersey of a group of French and Belgian writers and artists between 1907 and 1909.
Sep 21 2024
JFoW | How to Self-publish
Georgina Troy writes contemporary romance series. In 2022 she signed a 12-book deal with Indie Publisher of the Year, Boldwood Books for eight of her self-published backlist and a further four new books. She is currently on her second contract with Boldwood.
Sep 20 2024
JFoW | Losing The Plot – Workshop
Christine Buckland, writer and former teacher, will be offering a workshop focussing on creative writing and story endings. Participants can bring along any examples of their creative writing that have not worked out (not compulsory).
Sep 21 2024
JFoW | Ink Rebellion: ‘Zine Crafting Unleashed
Are you tired of the mundane, the mainstream and the monotonous? Ready to channel your inner rebel and create something that screams, ‘I won’t be silenced!’? Look no further than our ‘Ink Rebellion: Zine Crafting Unleashed!’ workshop.
Sep 23 2024
JFoW | Michael Rosen: Getting Better
Join writer, poet and presenter Michael Rosen as he discusses his book 'Getting Better', and learning to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy.
Sep 26 2024
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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.
