Lancaster’s annual literature festival is back (15 – 25 March) with a packed programme of author events, stimulating discussions, fun activities and opportunities for participation. The theme of the festival is ‘Connected Histories’, exploring the ways in which our lives, countries and industries are shaped by the conflicts and innovations of the past.

Litfest will again offer a flexible hybrid format (events available to attend in-person or view online) and tickets will once again be Free/Pay What You Can (with a recommended price of £5 per event)! Donations are encouraged and gratefully accepted, enabling Litfest to go on creating accessible and engaging literature-based events for everyone throughout the year.

The festival’s strong History strand this year is headlined by the inaugural Lancaster History Lecture, as Litfest, together with Lancaster University, welcomes Sathnam Sanghera, drawing on his new book Empireworld to discuss the legacies of the British Empire. Josephine Quinn joins us to explore How the World Made the West (rather than the other way round) and David Kynaston introduces his insights into the seismic changes that took place in Britain during the mid-Sixties with his latest book A Northern Wind. This was a time when the Cuban Missile Crisis threatened nuclear disaster, Lake Windermere froze over in the Big Freeze, The Beatles burst onto the music scene and Huyton MP Harold Wilson became PM.

The Big Read is back and Litfest is very excited to be working with S.F. Said: his atmospheric prize-winning story Tyger is the choice for readers of all ages, but especially 8–12-year-olds. This alluring tale explores friendship, loyalty and bravery as two children must save the mythical tyger on whose survival the fate of their world rests. Working with local schools and supported by local foundations, Litfest is determined to get copies of Tyger into the hands of as many children as possible so that everyone can join the fun.

Adults are treated to a feast of fiction too: Lancaster University Creative Writing tutor Oliver K. Langmead will launch his new novel, Calypso, an evocative story of intergalactic colonisation; Okechukwu Nzelu in Here Again Now, tells a poignant tale of broken family ties; and poet Andrew McMillan, also with strong Lancaster connections, launches his first novel, Pity. Visual art once more complements the themes and topics of the festival – The Litfest Exhibition returns with a new commission by and a major retrospective from local textile artist James Fox, and contributions from The Sewing Café Lancaster and Lancaster Black History Group. Plus, there will again be opportunities for everyone to get involved – with an expanded Northwest Landscape and Wildlife Photography Exhibition, alongside a wide offering of workshops, open mics, public call-outs, discussions, and guided walks (see the Litfest website for details of how to apply).

Our Writers in Residence this year include Reader Sophie Anderson, Naturalist Mark Cocker, Philosopher A.C. Grayling and Poet Hannah Lowe – who will MC a public poetry reading on the theme of ‘Histories’. The ever-popular Poetry weekend will feature a packed programme including 2023 King’s Poetry Medal winner Mimi Khalvati. There are many more exciting events exploring fiction, illustration, nature, poetry, history, ideas, storytelling, and children’s books on offer at this year’s fantastic festival – so book now and help Litfest make history in 2024!