A new name has been added to the literary calendar of the British Isles with the staging of the inaugural Manx Litfest, being held between September 27th-30th this year.
 
However, organisers in the Isle of Man are keen to ensure there’s more than just literature to entertain visitors. As well as the usual festival events such as workshops, seminars, readings, talks and performance storytelling, there will be events staged at cultural and heritage sites, including arts centres and castles.
 
The Festival is being supported by the Island’s Department of Economic Development.
 
The Department’s Political member for Tourism, Geoff Corkish MBE MHK said: ‘the Festival will undoubtedly enhance the arts scene in the Island. Music and drama are exceptionally well covered in the Isle of Man and the introduction of a major literary festival will bring that aspect of the arts to the fore.’
 
Festival Director John Quirk said: ‘There are more than 150 literature festivals staged around the British Isles every year, ranging from events in small villages up to the major names like Hay. We’re a new festival and we realise the importance of making our mark quickly, of trying to stand out from the crowd. While the aim is to celebrate literature and provide a platform for Isle of Man writers alongside visiting authors and poets, there’s much more to Manx Litfest and we want to give our authors and visitors a real feel for what the Island is about.
 
‘Initial reaction has been pretty strong, with interest already from as far afield as the US, mainland Europe and around the UK. But it’s not just the festival attracting writers and visitors – they are intrigued about the Island itself.’
 
Special travel and accommodation packages are being put together for the Festival, the hub for which will be the Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre entertainments complex in Douglas.
 
Further information is available from the website at www.manxlitfest.com where prospective patrons can also sign up for the Festival newsletter.
 
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