will take five award-winning writers direct to thousands of school pupils across Wales throughout February 2019, in 10 inspiring free events hosted at five Welsh universities: University of South Wales in Newport, Swansea University, Aberystwyth University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Running 4-8 February and 11-15 February, the Scribblers Tour aims to engage and encourage the next generation in storytelling and conversation, inspiring empathy and creativity. Now in its eighth year, the tour gives pupils a chance to visit their nearest university and experience a taste of life on campus.
YA star Jenny Valentine will compère the events and run writing workshops for the pupils, creating new stories in the university settings using augmented reality technology. Year 7 and Year 8 sessions will then feature conversations and activities with Hip Hop artist, poet and writer Karl Nova and journalist and historical fiction writer Emma Carroll, while Year 9 and Year 10 sessions will feature war correspondent Sue Turton and award-winning novelist Alex Wheatle.
Aine Venables, Education Manager at Hay Festival, said: “Every May in Hay-on-Wye thousands of young people join us to meet their favourite writers, and now we’re bringing Hay to them. In these free festival days we will be sharing stories, debating questions and celebrating the power of writing and reading for pleasure. We want to start conversations with young people, hear their voices and inspire their creative identities.”
Hay Festival Scribblers Tour is funded by the Welsh Government and is part of Hay Festival Foundation’s wider outreach and education work that includes free Schools Days, Hay Academy, Hay Compass, The Beacons Project, School Exchanges, and the Hay Levels, a series of free educational videos.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is able to support the fantastic Scribblers Tour at Hay Festival, which is now in its 8th year. Hay festival is renowned throughout the world, and the Scribblers Tour offers our pupils a fantastic opportunity to learn more about literature and creative writing, and listen to amazing inspirational speakers and authors that are masters of their craft. By giving our pupils access to these fantastic experiences, we’re helping to stir their imagination and develop their creative skills, inspiring a new wave of Welsh authors, poets, and playwrights.”
Find out more about the tour and the participating writers here.