Headline Acts Revealed For Wrexham Carnival of Words

Author of the award-winning novel Chocolat Joanne Harris and historical fiction writer Ben Kane will be the headline acts at Wrexham Glyndwr University when it hosts a third annual literary festival.

Three events are taking place at the university for this year’s Wrexham Carnival of Words, including appearances by both of the best-selling authors and a bilingual presentation from Wrexham-based author Aled Lewis Evans.

Joanne Harris is the lead speaker on the opening night of the festival, Saturday 29th April, when she visits the Catrin Finch Centre to speak about her latest book, Different Class.

Former schoolteacher Harris is best known for her 1999 book Chocolat, later adapted into the film of the same name starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche

Ben Kane, author of the Spartacus and Hannibal Roman historical fiction books, is appearing at the Nick Whitehead Theatre, Wrexham Glyndwr University, on Friday 5 May.

He’ll be speaking as part of the popular ‘My Era is Better Than Yours’ event alongside Sally O’Reilly, William Ryan and Emma Darwin.

Aled Lewis Evans’ event on Tuesday 2nd May will take visitors on a bilingual journey through 20 of his own books written across four decades.

Paul Jeorrett, vice-chair of Wrexham Carnival of Words and University Librarian at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “Wrexham Glyndwr University has been a lead partner of the festival since it started and we’re very proud to be a part of it.

“We’re never going to be a Hay on Wye in terms of size or commercialisation but what we wanted to do is to provide a literary event which is open and accessible to everyone with an interest in books and writing.

“The programme reflects the kind of content which the public in Wrexham have shown a thirst for over the last few years, as well as current trends in popularity provided by our colleagues at Waterstones in the town centre.”

The festival runs from Saturday 29th April to Saturday 6th May 2017 and will see 15 events take place at venues across the town, including Wrexham Library, Coleg Cambria, Saith Seren and Eagles Meadow.

In another programme highlight, author David Ebsworth will be interviewing former Government Minister Alan Johnson at Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre on Wednesday 3rd May. Alyn Waters Country Park, meanwhile, is the venue on Sunday 30th April for a walk with local authors.

Tickets are individually priced for each event and available from Wrexham Library or Waterstones Wrexham. A full festival ticket giving access to every event is priced £25 and available from the same sellers.

Wrexham Carnival of Words is supported by Wrexham Glyndwr University, Eagles Meadow, Waterstones, Wrexham Council, DTCC, Coleg Cambria, Wingetts, All Words Matter and SilverWood.

Further information can be found on the Wrexham Carnival of Words website. Alternatively you can email [email protected]