Huddersfield Literature Festival facts for kids

Huddersfield Literature Festival (HLF) is a super fun event that happens every year in March. It's a festival all about books, stories, and words, held in Huddersfield, a town in West Yorkshire, England.

What is the Huddersfield Literature Festival?

This festival is a big celebration of reading and writing! It brings together authors, poets, and performers for many different kinds of events. You can enjoy:

• Talks by your favorite authors
• Workshops to help you write your own stories
• Fun competitions
• Performances that mix different arts, like music and storytelling
• Special poetry nights and open mic events where anyone can share their work
• A special "Literary Afternoon Tea"

These exciting events happen all over Huddersfield. Places like The University of Huddersfield, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield Town Hall, and local libraries and cafes all host parts of the festival.

Who is the festival for?

The festival wants everyone to feel welcome! They make sure to include artists and performers from different backgrounds. This includes people from diverse ethnic groups, the LGBT community, and those with disabilities. They even provide special guides to help people get around key venues. Many events are free or cost very little, so lots of people can join in.

The festival has two famous people who support it: Sir Patrick Stewart OBE (who you might know from X-Men or Star Trek!) and Lemn Sissay MBE, a well-known poet.

The Huddersfield Literature Festival has won awards too! In 2016 and 2017, it was a finalist for the White Rose Awards. In 2017, it won a Community Award for Arts from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

How did the festival start?

The Huddersfield Literature Festival began in 2006. It's run by a group that doesn't aim to make a profit. They get help from the University of Huddersfield and the Arts Council. Local businesses also help by sponsoring the event.

From 2009 to 2011, a writer and teacher named Michael Stewart led the festival. In 2012, the festival took a break. But it came back in 2013 with a new director, Michelle Hodgson. Michelle was even featured in The Independent on Sunday newspaper for her amazing work with the festival!

Over the years, many famous and interesting authors, poets, and performers have visited the festival.

Who has visited the festival?

Many talented writers and performers have shared their work at the Huddersfield Literature Festival. Here are just a few examples of the amazing people who have attended:

• Joanne Harris, a popular author known for books like Chocolat. She has visited many times!
• Lemn Sissay, one of the festival's patrons and a celebrated poet.
• Simon Armitage, a famous poet.
• Alexei Sayle, a comedian and writer.
• Jodi Picoult, an American author known for her novels.
• Kate Atkinson, a best-selling British writer.
• Matt Haig, who writes popular books for both adults and children.
• Helen Lederer, an actress and comedian.
• Irvine Welsh, a Scottish author.
• Ian Rankin, who writes popular crime novels.
• Henry Normal, a poet and TV producer.
• Sir Patrick Stewart, the festival's patron, who joined an event in 2018.
• Jeremy Vine, a well-known radio and TV presenter.
• Johnny Ball, a famous TV presenter known for making science fun.
• Ann Cleeves, a crime writer whose books have been turned into TV shows.

The festival continues to bring exciting new voices and beloved authors to Huddersfield every year!