Published on 01 October 2020
Sunderland's annual literature festival launches this Thursday (1 October), coinciding with National Poetry Day, and a University of Sunderland academic is taking to Facebook to share his verse with the world.
The Sunderland Literature Festival (1-10 October) celebrates local talent, literature and themes with local authors and artists - including talks and workshops by many University of Sunderland graduates and academics.
Alistair Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Sunderland, presents a pre-recorded talk and reading on Facebook as part of National Poetry Day. Alistair's book, As Blind As Rain, is his third full-length poetry collection from Red Squirrel Press. His previous collections were Stereograms of the Dead (2009) and The Land Before Yoghurt (2014).
Alistair says: "There are poems in it about Japan, France and the fabled land of Randomia!
“Among the other subjects are the naming of weeds, the exploration of wasteland and the lunacy of regional stereotyping. One of the sequences of poems has been inspired by a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, ticket stubs and receipts I found in a scrapbook on a market stall."
Sunderland Libraries Services have taken the decision to move the 2020 Literature Festival online. They believe that now, more than ever, books can play an important role in reducing isolation, provide a sense of connection or escape and help us make sense of the world. They have put together a diverse, interesting, uplifting and inspiring digital programme, with content for all ages. The festival will be supported this year by the University of Sunderland, Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, Lonely Tower Film & Media & Living History North East.
To find out more go to: https://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/events/oce22053%20SLLF%202019%20Event%20A5%20Booklet%202020.pdf