Golden Thread Gallery
Fionola Meredith Book Launch 'The Stamp of Beauty'
Out to Lunch Festival 2023
1301JC23
Aspects, Bangor’s festival of reading, writing and words starts next week with a full programme of events celebrating the written word. This year’s festival features a packed line-up, with something for everyone on offer, from top authors to poetry, exhibitions, history and politics.
Opening the festival onWednesday 27 September is the Galicia Exchange and Concert with poetsKeith PayneandXavier Quiepoat North Down Museum. Galician Xavier is visiting Northern Ireland on a Cultural Exchange and will spend a month at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre as part of the experience. The evening will also feature music from award-winning Galician musicianSu Garrido Pombo.
North Down Museum is also hosting some fantastic book events withJudith Mokpresenting her memoirThe State of Darkthere on Saturday 30 September. Judith Mok is a Dublin-based classical soprano, a leading voice coach, novelist and poet. She was born in the Netherlands to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust trying to rebuild their shattered lives.The State of Darkis a memoir and a detective story which delves into her family’s past. Join authorsFionola MeredithandOlivia Fitzsimonsalso in North Down Museum, on Thursday 5 October, as they discuss their new booksThe Stamp of BeautyandThe Quiet Whispers Never Stopwith Nuala McKeever.
The stunning Chamber room in Bangor Castle is the location for many of the festival’s events. Award-winning composer of RiverdanceBill Whelanwill join Neil Martin in conversation in this beautiful venue on Sunday 1 October. Bill’s new bookThe Road to Riverdancecharts his life from his childhood right up to that spectacular Eurovision performance which went on to become a global phenomenon.Glenn Pattersontakes to the stage in The Chamber on Friday 6 October to discuss his latest book Two Summers,a pair of novellas, set over two pivotal summers in the lives of two young men from Belfast, as they recall the constraints of the place where they were born and the times in which they are living.
For those who want to enjoy literature in the great outdoors, authorMaggie Doylewill lead a creative walk along Bangor’s beautiful Coastal Path on Saturday 30 September. Using her new bookMountain Notes, A Nature Diaryfor inspiration, the walk will include readings and sketching.
Poetry lovers are also in for a treat at this year’s Aspects;the popular Poetry Slam returns on Saturday 30 September at Studio 1A, Bangor. This dynamic competition pits poets against poet, working against the clock and their peers to showcase original work. The outright winner will be crowned Aspects Poetry Champion and the winner and runner-up will go forward to the Ulster Poetry Slam Final in Derry~Londonderry in early November.
Aspiring writers will enjoy the Festival Club which returns to the Imperial Bar, Bangor on Monday 2 October. Writers are invited to take part by reading a short passage of their own original work in a relaxed atmosphere at this special event.
Aspects Festival runs from 27 September to 7 October at various locations around Bangor. For more information on the full programme and to book tickets, visitaspectsfestival.com
Golden Thread Gallery Fionola Meredith Book Launch ‘The Stamp of Beauty’ Out to Lunch Festival 2023 1301JC23