Olympic Poet Lemn Sissay and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy are among the star performers at this year's Wise Words Festival.
The annual autumn celebration of the written, spoken and sung word, which takes place across Canterbury from 12-21 September, also includes stellar poet John Siddique as poet-in-residence, together with a range of writers poets from the local area.
Artist-in-residence at London’s Southbank Centre, Lemn Sissay, features alongside Carol Ann Duffy in what promises to be the most exciting line-up that Wise Words has brought to Canterbury since the festival began in 2012.
Other names include performance poet, rapper and winner of the Ted Hughes Award, Kate Tempest, bringing an exclusive preview of her new work, Hold Your Own, as she returns to the poetry-circuit in the wake of her award-winning collection, Brand New Ancients.
An array of local poets and writers will also be appearing, including University of Kent alumnus and Canterbury Laureate, Dan Simpson, fresh from his appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Author and Festival Patron, Jane Gardam, will be presenting her latest collection – Jane was one of only two British authors to be shortlisted for the prestigious inaugural Folio Prize.
Family events also lie at the heart of the festival, and there are special performances and workshops for children, including many free events.
More details can be found on the Wise Words website, and you can also join in the dialogue on Twitter @wisewordsfest.