News Centre

Children’s Literature Festival

21 March 2012

children’s author Jacqueline Wilson

Cardiff, home of Roald Dahl and Doctor Who, is to host its first ever Children’s Literature Festival in 2013.

The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will take place on Wednesday 20 - Sunday 24 March 2013 and will be organised by Literature Wales, Cardiff Council, Cardiff University and The National Museum of Wales.

The event will bring together some of the best contemporary children’s writers and illustrators, putting South Wales once again on the children’s literary map.

Celebrated children’s author Jacqueline Wilson is the first to be confirmed for the festival programme. "I am delighted to have been asked to take part in Cardiff’s first festival dedicated to young readers," said the former Children’s Laureate. "Books enable children to become explorers, both of themselves and the wider world, and it’s vastly important that they are celebrated and encouraged."

The Festival will enable young people to meet and interact with some of the most creative minds in children’s books. It will promote literacy and the arts with an inventive and accessible programme of cultural events in key venues across Cardiff, in both the Welsh and English language.

Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Grant, said: "The University is delighted to be collaborating with city partners for the first Cardiff Children's Literature Festival. This vibrant event will inspire the next generation of writers and help raise the profile of literary talent within Wales and further afield. We look forward to hosting events during the Festival and to engaging young people with the great opportunities that come from reading and literature."

Lleucu Siencyn, Literature Wales’ Chief Executive said: "We will transform Cardiff into a wonderland of myths and magical characters. What better way to start a jam-packed year of literary activities for children and young people than to awake their creativity with a major festival in the capital city".

Projects such as Cardiff Council’s Literacy Strategy and Literature Wales’ Young People’s Laureate Scheme acknowledge that the essential skills of reading and creative writing need to be nourished. The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will be an opportunity for young people to engage with a wider range of books and ideas than ever before.

Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews AM, commented: "A Children’s Literature Festival in Cardiff will be a great asset to the city. As Minister, one of my key priorities is to improve standards of literacy across the board. Anything that inspires the children and young people of the city to develop a love of reading and writing should be encouraged. I wish the Festival every success."

More information will be released throughout this year in the build up to next spring’s festivities. Updates are available from cardiffchildrenslitfest@literaturewales.org

Related links

School of Welsh

Literature Wales