Leicesters everevolving literary festival receives important Arts Council grant

Literary Leicester, a leading festival of the written and spoken word organised by our University, opens in Leicester next month (November), with a glittering line-up of events that are free and open to the public.

Among the contributors are best-selling children's author and creator of Tracy Beaker, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and celebrated feminist writer and playwright of works including The Life and Loves of a She Devil, Fay Weldon. 

The Literary Leicester festival has been given a forward-looking cash boost which will help the already esteemed annual event further develop its quality and reputation. 

Our University received the £12,875 Arts Council grant in September, with the 2016 festival just a few weeks away – running between Wednesday 16 November and Saturday 19 November. 

The funding has already been utilised in this year's budget and has been channelled into schemes to encourage people from different backgrounds to try its lectures, talks and workshops. 

Organiser Dr Harry Whitehead, of the University's School of Arts, worked with the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), specifically Seamus Grant and Christopher Shaw, with help from the Research and Enterprise Division’s Clare Hudson to write the bid. 

Dr Whitehead said: “The money will be spent on a wider range of festival events, letting the world know about what we have to offer, holding showcase events throughout the year, and helping us run this ever-growing Leicester festival more professionally."

The University will also celebrate the launch of the next edition of the School of Arts literary journal at New Walk Museum with a public event involving readings from well-known poets and more.