Liverpool festival encouraging locals to join the revolution
A festival taking place next month is encouraging local people to join the revolution and talk about matters affecting the way we live.
Writing on the Wall, known as WoWFest 2017, is taking place at venues across Liverpool throughout May. The festival has been inspired by 2017 marking the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, which was a defining moment in the 20th century. More recently, Britain is to leave the EU and a General Election has been announced. The festival aims to ask the question ‘Where are we now?’ and are we moving forwards, or backwards.
WoWFest 2017 is inviting artists, writers, commentators and audiences to explore the impact of these changes and delve into the issues that are impacting the way we live, from Artificial Intelligence and the environment to immigration.
Madeline Heneghan, Co-Director of Writing on the Wall, said: “In these globally turbulent times, artistic production and creativity has a vital role to play: it can bring people together, really get them thinking critically and motivated for change. We are proud and delighted to present a programme packed with radical writers, outrageous comedy and crucial debates for WoWFest 2017.”
Here are the events within the festival that aren’t worth missing…
Festival Launch – May 1st Mayday Parade
12.30pm – Toxteth Library
The event will celebrate past struggles with the launch of the autobiography of Liverpool writer and activist George Garrett (1896-1936), inviting communities across Merseyside to make their voice heard on low-pay, cuts in benefits, homelessness and discrimination.
Time for Action! – Saturday 6th May
The Black – E, 1 Great George St
Journalist and writer Gary Younge will launch Time for Action! with an opening address, followed by panel discussions ‘I’m not racist but…’ ‘Fake it till you make it – FAKE NEWS! In a Post-truth world’, ‘Brexit Britain – Bright or Broken?’ and an exclusive interview with Raoul Martinez. Award-winning performers Akala and Francesca Martinez will also present an evening of sharp, intelligent spoken word and comedy.
Tax the Robots – Saturday 13th May
Central library, William Brown Street
This event will discuss the implications of tech and robots and explore new ways of living. A number of writers, trade unionists, activists, workers and commentators will take part in a series of panels and activities, including writing creative responses to explore and discuss the impact of technologies on our lives now and in the future.
Indie-pendence Day & Pulp Idol Final – Saturday 20th May
The Black – E, 1 Great George St
A day devoted to exploring independent publishing, new platforms in the digital age, and options for writers to self-publish or stick with the ‘old guard’. Indie-pendence Day will include unique insights from leaders in the field including head of Inpress Publishing Sophie O’Neill, who will explore issues and offer writers practical support and advice through panels, workshops and one-to-one mentoring. There will also be the opportunity to hear the novelists of the future at our Pulp Idol Grand Finale, with the winners of the heats reading from their first chapters.
