After 21 years, has there ever been a better time to come together to enjoy a month of inspirational writing, debate and discussion? Why not treat ourselves to the thoughts and ideas of some of the best minds, activists, writers and creatives in the UK and internationally today?
We may be locked down, but our 21st anniversary festival offers you a window into another world. One you can be part of, that entertains, lets us reflect on the events of the past year, and looks outside to seeks answers. It will question power, the structural disparities, endemic poverty, institutional racism and sexism, and, most importantly, demands change.
WoWFest: 21 Years of Radical Writing, is a celebration of what we have achieved over the years, and all we stand for now and what we hope to achieve in the future – a world class festival with community, creativity, diversity and social justice emblazoned on our banner.
No celebration would be complete without you, our amazing audience and supporters. We have put together a dynamic festival of guests and events offering you the best writing around, with a roster of brilliant high-profile guests, including leading, iconic film makers, Booker Prize winners, legendary legal minds, musicians, spoken word artists, campaigners and activists.
Our early bird £21 all festival pass gives you access to over forty events featuring Ken Loach, Jon Snow, Elif Shafak, Lady Phyll, Michael Rosen, Walter Mosley, Ben Okri, Laura Bates, Douglas Stuart, Kit de Wall, Nikesh Shukla, Hassan Blasim, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many more. We’ll be tackling issues like decolonising the curriculum, systematic sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, prison writing and prison rights. There’s book launches from national and local authors– Littlewoods Pools Girls, The Rise and Fall of Princes Park Health Centre, and lots of discussions! Joined by writers from the acclaimed Small Axe TV series, competitions and events for children with Michael Rosen there is lots to get involved with.
For all of the above and much, much more, make sure your snap up your early bird pass for £21 and join us to celebrate 21 Years of Radical Writing.
Don’t forget to purchase all your books ahead of the festival from our fantastic Independent Liverpool Bookstore News From Nowhere. You’ll be able to find all of the books listed in this year’s lineup with our featured book page through their website here
Proudly supported by The Institute of Creative Enterprise at Edge Hill University’s MA in International Creative Enterprise.
One Hour Theatre Company presents: Bartleby: A Tale of Wall Street is the first completed recording in an ongoing original audio drama project premiering at WoWFest; a unique artistic collaboration between playwright, Tom Hall, former Head of Drama at LJMU, actor David Llewellyn, composer and sound designer Andy Frizell and director and dramaturg Victor Merriman.
Date: May 1, 2021
Buy ticketsThe Sound Recordist is the latest poetry collection from Seán Street, a sequence of work based on a life’s work in radio and a fascinating insight into British broadcasting. Join Seán and poet and editor Hannah Stone to discuss sound, silence and the power of words in contemporary society.
Date: May 1, 2021
Buy ticketsLa Violette Società, once a rough diamond now a gem of the Liverpool arts scene, lay on a special WoWFEST 21st anniversary night of their eclectic mix of poetry, storytelling and spoken word featuring Roy, Mark Jackson, Holly Watson and Lou Fitz. Hosted by Ciarán Hodgers.
Date: May 1, 2021
Buy ticketsOnce British, Always British, two 30-minute audio dramas exploring migration to British port cities by Yemeni and Indian sailors in the 1920’s, inspired by real material from The National Archives and written by acclaimed playwrights Hassan Abdulrazzak and Satinder Chohan. A Tamasha Theatre production in association with The National Archives.
Date: May 4, 2021
Buy ticketsAward-winning international best-selling author of My Name Is Leon, discusses and reads from her latest short story collection Supporting Cast.
Date: May 4, 2021
Buy ticketsAward-winning international best-selling author of My Name Is Leon, discusses and reads from her latest short story collection Supporting Cast.
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