The Wolverhampton Literature Festival 2023 will take place between 3rd - 5th February and is organised by Wolverhampton City Council. For the first time ever WCR FM, Wolverhampton`s radio station, has provided a platform for local creatives and, according to the Poet in Residence, it has been a success.
"We have been so fortunate" said Ian Henery, Poet in Residence" in attracting so many high calibre spoken word artists, publishers and authors. We have the world premiere of the play "The Plastic Migrant" about an illegal migrant wanting to find a cure for his wife`s infertility who saves planet earth from the scourge of plastic".
The play is based on a concept by Professor Abdul Gatrad OBE DL and is brought to life by dramatists Paul Ingles and Jade Smedley-Baugh. Professor Gatrad founded WASUP - World Against Single Use Plastic and he will be launching his book, "The Story of Three Plastic Bottles", at the Festival.
"Everyone has been so generous with their time and energy" explained Ian Henery "and we are all volunteers. We are joined by 5 former Poet Laureates, the poetry collective Poets Against Racism, Communities Against Racism Enterprise, Word Stafford and the Aston University Poetry Society."
Amongst the publishing companies supporting the Festival are The Kates Hill Press, Seren Books, Tenebrous Texts, Dream Well Writing and the Fawn Press. Wolverhampton Volunteers are supporting the project together with Creative Black Country and Saturday Books and Gallery.
"We have 3 days of activity" explained Ian Henery together with 3 outside broadcasts by WCR FM in the Mander Centre Community Hub by Jason Forrest, Tim Beech and Chris Allen. Each day there is 10 hours of spoken word and performances and it`s all completely free."
Wolverhampton Fair Trade are sponsoring the event with free refreshments. There will be exhibitions in the Mander Centre Community Hub by local artists as well together with an exhibition of photography by Julia Farrell.
