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22nd Aldeburgh Poetry Festival –
This coming weekend 23 writers from eight countries will descend on the inspirational seaside town of Aldeburgh for the ultimate poetry weekend. Several events have sold out and many more are booking up fast - so please do book asap to avoid disappointment. It would be lovely to see you in Aldeburgh for an unforgettable weekend promising the very best in international contemporary poetry. Alongside top UK poets (including Don Paterson and Andrew Motion) Aldeburgh is renowned for welcoming celebrated international talent and exceptional newcomers:
Rising star Inua Ellmans
5.45 - 7.00pm, Untitled, Sat 6 November, Jubilee Hall
Described by The Times as ‘London’s hottest new spoken word talent’, Inua Ellams brings his new one-man show to Aldeburgh. The magical realist story - set in Nigeria and England - tells of two identical twin boys separated at infancy and what happens when one child is left unnamed. Following a sell-out performance last week at the Bristol Old Vic, one reviewer wrote: ‘Ellams restored my faith in the power of theatre, this is high-drama and dramatic dialogue, that transports the audience.’ Ellams debut show The 14th Tale won a 2009 Edinburgh Fringe First Award.
Lars Gustafsson - one of Sweden’s most critically acclaimed writers
appearing at Aldeburgh with his translator John Irons
Discussion, 9am Sat 6th Nov
Exchange, 11am, Sun 7th Nov
Reading, 3.15pm, Sun 7th Nov
According to The New York Times the poet, philosopher and best-selling author Lars Gustafsson has ‘an uncompromising vision of the utter complexity of modern life’. His novel The Death of a Beekeeper won international acclaim for its lyrical beauty and profundity. Expect nothing less from his poetry, which effortlessly navigates between the dream world of the unconscious and the very fabric of reality. Don’t miss this rare UK appearance from one of the finest Scandinavian writers of our time (and he’s not even a crime writer!)
Toon Tellegen
Reading, 4pm, Sat 6th Nov
Considered one of Holland’s greatest poets, Tellegen is also an internationally famous children’s author and a practicing GP in Amsterdam. According to The Manhattan Review his poems move with ‘fairytale speed’ and cover great distances as ‘entire novels are encompassed in a single poem’. In his books for children, anthropomorphic grasshoppers pay a fortune for a speck of dust and lonely moles write letters to themselves. Likewise his poetry, with a characteristic lightness of touch, questions how best to live.
Workshops - world-class writers offer a creative burst
Places are being snapped up for our programme of Pre-Festival workshops with some already sold-out. There are still a few places left for;
Harry Clifton‘s Writing in Context - join the recently appointed Ireland Professor of Poetry 2010 for a masterclass based around your own poems. An extraordinarily good opportunity for creative development.
Matthew Caley‘s Adventures with Text - offering fresh perspectives for experienced writers looking to try something new and beginners looking for innovative ways to move forward.