BROADCASTER and former children’s laureate Michael Rosen has been announced as the first headliner for the ninth Jersey Festival of Words.
Event organisers said Mr Rosen would be discussing his new book, Getting Better, released this February, which details his experience learning to live with the death of his son from meningitis and recovering from a near-fatal Covid infection.
He will also host a separate children’s poetry event as part of the schools programme.
Organisers are remaining tight-lipped about further details of Mr Rosen’s visit, which will take place between 20 and 29 September, and tickets are not yet on sale.
Mr Rosen has presented BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, Word of Mouth, since 1998, and has published around 200 books for children and adults, including The Sad Book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and A Great Big Cuddle.
He was children’s laureate between 2007 and 2009, and is now a prolific social commentator, writing a monthly open “letter” to the Education Secretary in The Guardian in which he critiques government policy on schools from the standpoint of a parent.
He regularly visits festivals, schools, teachers’ conferences and universities, where he is in demand to give performances, workshops and keynote addresses.
Festival chair Lucy Cotter said she was “excited” that he was appearing at the nine-day celebration of the written word when “so many people have been touched by his work”.
She added: “His appeal and influence spans the generations, from parents and children who have cherished memories of a ‘bear hunt’ to those he has profoundly moved with his words on illness and loss.”
Last year’s festival was heralded as its “best yet”, with headline guests Dame Sheila Hancock, Michael Morpurgo and Simon Armitage delighting sold-out audiences.
This September, the festival will feature over 60 events, from a diverse range of writers, including established authors, emerging talents and workshops, readings, discussions and performances.
Events will be held at the Freedom Centre, the Arts Centre, the Jersey Library and other local venues including the Blue Note Bar.
The main festival corporate sponsor is HIGHVERN, with additional festival funding from the government and other local sponsors.
Details of further events will be released soon, and more information can be found at jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
