Alexandra Palace hosted a bumper weekend for literature lovers with top names including Michael Rosen and Lemony Snicket appearing at the Muswell Hill landmark.
The four day North London Book Fest last weekend was London’s newest literary festival, with Natalie Haynes, Leo Vardiashvili, Erin Kelly, and Stuart Turton also taking part in the programme of readings, panel discussions, Q&As, workshops and book-signings.
Held in the Palace's theatre and Transmitter Hall, the festival was aimed at readers of all genres and ages, with both established and emerging authors taking part.
Kate Ereira, Joint-Festival Director: “We had the most extraordinary weekend with sell-out events and stunningly good speakers. From large events in the beautiful Theatre to intimate children’s creative workshops, the whole four days has been packed with really special experiences.”
Joint-Festival Director and Head of Creative Learning at Alexandra Palace, Mark Civil added: “We are delighted to have welcomed people to the Palace for our first ever literary festival.
"It was a fantastic four days. Our ambition is for this to become an annual event that book lovers will look forward to as well as developing a touring programme that can go out across libraries and bookshops across north London."
The action kicked off on Thursday 21 March with pub quiz night from the fiendish mind of quiz book author Frank Paul.
This was followed on Friday by an evening of intrigue with a round-up of the latest thought-provoking crime and political thrillers, ahead of a busy festival schedule across Saturday and Sunday.
The festival coincided with the finale of Biblio-buzz, the annual Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award, which saw 900 young people attend a ceremony in the Theatre on Friday 22 March.
The Award challenges children aged 9-12 to read six selected texts, complete challenges, take part in workshops, then vote for their favourite book and meet the authors at the awards.
The shortlist was selected by a team of local school librarians, who are the founders of the award and featured titles by Zillah Bethell, Simon James Green, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Tanya Landman, Nazneen Ahmed Pathak and S.J. Wills.
Young Biblio-Buzz participants this year voted Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green as their favourite text. The book is a funny, heartbreaking story about life and loss, and making every second count.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 23 March, participants, authors and families gathered in Wood Green Library to see Nazneen Ahmed Pathak’s book City of Stolen Magic announced as the winner of the Biblio-Buzz Library Award.
This award was voted for by those participating in Biblio-Buzz via their local library. Both award ceremonies were compered by the inimitable Jack Meggitt-Phillips, who was the winning author of Biblio-Buzz 2022.
Simon James Green commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to win the Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award.
"The fact it’s voted for by hundreds of young people makes it all the more special, and it means a lot that this story of grief, hope, friendship, and belting out Lady Gaga songs while dressed as a unicorn has resonated with so many of them.
"Walking out on stage in that beautiful theatre, in front of nine hundred cheering kids, with rock concert lighting, at an event which included books, authors, and live music was absolutely magic.
"And what a fantastic way to celebrate all things reading – hats off to the librarians who put this together because it’s something everyone involved will remember for the rest of their lives. Events like this prove that kids love books more than ever and it was an honour to be part of that.”
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