The Johnson era will be remembered for a series of scandals that severely eroded trust in the British government.
From questionable PPE tenders and public appointments to the ‘partygate’ fiasco, every aspect of public life seemed tainted.
How did this downward spiral begin, and what can be done to reverse it?
Monique Charlesworth’s mother Inge was German, half-Jewish and a Holocaust survivor, all of which she chose to deny. Talented and able, charismatic and infuriating, she surged through life constantly reinventing herself. Sent out of Nazi Germany, she eventually arrived in London and a new start until her past caught up with her.
Join us in the shop as we meet Leeds based author Sarah Brooks and talk to her about her debut nostalgic fiction novel The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands.
‘A woman on the platform with a borrowed name. A disgraced naturalist determined to discover miracles. A child with a dangerous secret.’
Filled with wild imagination, and a fantastical twist, this piece of gloriously nostalgic fiction takes you on a wild and thrilling ride on the Great Trans-Siberian express during the golden age of steam.
Join debut author Claire Carroll for a workshop on creating fiction that reflects the varied experience of living through the climate crisis.
Claire will help participants explore how their writing can reflect the looming changes and complex emotional states brought about by global warming and the capitalocene.
Young adults are welcome to join the workshop but there is potential for some adult themed content.
This event is part of Leeds Litfest.
Founded in 2007 by author and activist Paul Burston, Polari is a multi award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon. Known for its high energy, thought-provoking performances, Polari is a heady mix of live literature and cabaret, in which the performers happen to be writers.
Described by The Huffington Post as “the most exciting literary moment in London”, the salon also tours regularly, supported by Arts Council England.
Leeds Rape Crisis Centre, SARSVL, has issued a call out for submissions of feminist short poems to celebrate feminist art and help raise money. At least 12 original poems will be selected for a ‘Feminist Poem a Month’ calendar to sell as a winter fundraiser, and/or share a selection of the poems submitted from 25th November to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and the subsequent 16 days of action.
Letters to Leeds is a project that was born out of a love for Leeds and a desire to further understand and celebrate its greatness.
We want to invite people to come together on a collective exploration of the city. Whether you’ve been here all along, moved here yesterday, or are just passing through – we want to capture Leeds through your experiences. In order to do so, we will be holding three free workshops at Hyde Park Book Club that will encourage sharing your stories through different creative activities.
Join Leeds Poetry Festival for these monthly wellbeing poetry group sessions where you can talk with fellow poets about how you're feeling while working on your latest poetic piece. The sessions will be group-focused, not run by any individual, but supervised by Poppy-Lee Jennings, our organiser.*
Join us at local libraries across Leeds for a fun weekly session of sharing stories and rhymes with time to play in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
A great opportunity to meet with others and join the library as part of your visit.
Free event for under fives and their grown ups, just turn up.
Monday
10:30-11:30 - Dewsbury Road, Headingley, Pudsey, Whinmoor
13:30-14:30 - Central, Oakwood
This year’s festival is supported by Leeds 2023, the citywide celebration of culture which will interweave themes of untold stories, radical acts, playful adventures and future generations.
The Festival is very excited to be hosting poet, playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE (above) as he brings his memoir My Name is Why to Carriageworks Theatre (Fri 3rd March). In it, Sissay reflects on his childhood, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so explores the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home.