Creative Folkestone Book Festival: The Shape of Things to Come will take place this autumn from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 November 2022 in Folkestone.
Our forward-looking festival continues to be influenced by the ideas and attitudes of H.G. Wells, born in Kent and a Folkestone resident for thirteen years. All artists, writers and creative thinkers taking part will explore the possible futures of many issues and tackle national and international concerns, including the climate emergency, politics, the future of United Kingdom, sexual identity, Black British culture, humour and satire, the post-pandemic world, and the perilous lives of refugees.
Among the writers heading to Folkestone in November are Lucy Cooke, exploring sexual identity in animals, particular the female species; Michael Wood, marking the 40th anniversary of his classic, In Search of the Dark Ages and looking at how we can learn from our history when facing the future; Craig Brown, whose new book, Haywire, collects the best of his writings, discussing the need for humour and satire to carry us forward through these times; Margo Jefferson, author of Negroland, following the recent publication of her new memoir on black experience and culture, Constructing a Nervous System; writer and performer, Emma Kennedy, whose new book, Letter to Brenda, explores a discovered cache of her mother’s letters that led her to new ways of thinking about her mother and her life; Gavin Esler, exploring Brexit and the possible break-up of the Union; crime novelist William Shaw, whose DS Alexandra Cupidi series – comprising Salt Lane, Deadland, Grave’s End and The Trawlerman - is set in Dungeness; Richard Ovenden, Chief Librarian at the Bodleian Library, who will explore the historical destruction of books; German artist, Olivier Kugler, who works as an illustrator all over the world, will host a schools event for teenagers.
Alastair Upton, Chief Executive, Creative Folkestone said, “We are living in unprecedented times. Something that has been said more than once in the past two years. But with war raging across Europe, a climate in collapse, and an uncertain political landscape unfolding, to name just three things, this statement feels more accurate than ever. Art, music, and literature can help us make sense of our lives and the world around us, and so, this year's festival feels more vital than ever. This autumn, we invite the world to come to Folkestone to think about the Shape of Things to Come and maybe make sense of these unprecedented times.”
Quarterhouse will once again be the festival HQ, hosting a busy programme of events and activities, with additional events planned for venues in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter and nearby. Selected events will be screened live online and available all over the world.
Early bird festival passes are on sale now. The full programme and tickets will be available in September 2022.