Newark book festival events celebrate twinning links with Sandomierz in Poland and Emmendingen, Germany
Events at this year’s Newark Book Festival are set to celebrate the town’s twinning with towns in Poland and Germany.
The festival, with the theme Words In Special Places, will run from July 3-6 and will include several events reflecting Newark’s connections with communities from other parts of the world.
The historic partnerships with Emmendingen, Germany, which took place 40 years ago this year, and Sandomierz in Poland have brought communities closer together and have fostered lasting friendships between citizens.
On Sunday, July 1 there will be a free screening of the film The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler – whose statue is in Newark - in the Tudor Hall.
On Sunday, an online event will celebrate Polish authors and features Julia Fiedorczuk, a poet and author who lectures at the University of Warsaw and the Polish Cultural Institute in London.
On Tuesday, July 4, Izabela Olendzki will be reading some popular English books in Polish at the Tambo Lounge in the Buttermarket. There will be an opportunity to learn some basic Polish words, and the country’s culture, ask questions and have a chat.
During the festival, people can find the My World exhibition in the Buttermarket, featuring short stories and poems from children and young people from Newark schools, Emmendingen and Sandomierz.
The festival’s artistic director, Sara Bullimore, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of our twin towns for their friendship and support over the past 40 years.
“We hope the events at this year’s Book Festival provide an insight into literature in different languages and cultures and we look forward to many more years of collaboration and creativity between our communities."
The events strand alongside outreach touring programme, school events and early years competitions.
The programme also features events linked to neurodiversity, Holocaust stories with broken Instruments, nature, and eco-themed celebrations.
Tickets are available from Newark Palace Theatre.
