At Monty Lit Fest, we believe in the power of the written word. Whether you’re a parent sharing a first board book with a baby; an avid reader or someone who picks up a book only occasionally, we know that words have the power to change lives.
That’s why we want to support this year’s National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading. The aim is to inspire more people to read, visit libraries, connect through stories and develop a life-long love of reading in all its forms.
The campaign comes at a time when reading for pleasure is on the decline, having to compete with a wider range of alternatives and distractions than ever.
Of particular concern is the fact that fewer children than ever seem to be enjoying books. In a recent open letter, Nicola Davies, Children’s Laureate Wales and Siôn Tomos Owen, Bardd Plant Cymru, called for urgent action to reverse the decline, including making libraries in schools mandatory and urging adults to role-model reading themselves, to “open the door for young people, to the delight, wonder, and learning waiting inside every book.”
Cultural change is never easy, but the Laureates remind us that we can all play a role in shining a light on the power of reading. And, in our own small way, that’s what Monty Lit Fest will be doing over the weekend of 12th-14th June this year.
We’re particularly proud that our Mini Fest will be back, the chance for our children to meet the authors and illustrators who bring books to life and to explore just how much fun the world of books can be.
And we’ll also have a full programme of fiction and non-fiction for older readers, everything from fiction to farming; history to hedges; music, art and fashion.
We’ll be launching this year’s programme on Friday March 13th at Montgomery Town Hall with our Extra Fiendish Festival Quiz courtesy of Festival favourite, Marcus Berkmann. It’s another chance to pit your wits against our resident quizmaster – and, of course, to start planning your Festival weekend.
Tickets for the launch are on sale now, online and at The Montgomery Bookshop, Arthur Street, Montgomery.