LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD - Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

What a fantastic year. Thank you so much to all our supporters who turned out in their thousands to the WORD Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival and to the seven events we presented or supported outside festival time.      LOOKING FORWARD  2015 is calling! We have an exciting line-up of events and collaborations on the horizon for 2015, beginning with Andrea di Robilant in February, with events in partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival in May, KidsFest in July and the Christchurch Arts Festival in August, plus a few surprises sprinkled in between. Don't miss out on the news: here is where you will hear the announcements first, in our newsletter. CHASING THE ROSE             We are proud to announce our support for a very special event, presented by Heritage Roses New Zealand Incorporated, in association with WORD Christchurch and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Join Andrea di Robilant, Italian journalist, historian and author of Chasing the Rose in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens as he recounts the enthralling search for the identity of a mysterious old rose, taking us back in time to Josephine Bonaparte and into some of the most delightful rose gardens in Europe today. Make it an evening to remember by taking an optional guided tour of the Heritage Rose Garden before settling in to listen to listen to this marvellous storyteller.   Wednesday 25 February, 2015 Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre 6.30pm talk /4.30pm tour   Tickets available from Dash Tickets: More information here  A GREAT STOCKING FILLER        Elizabeth Knox’s astounding WORD Christchurch Margaret Mahy Memorial Lecture is now available as a stylish little book, An Unreal House Filled with Real Storms, thanks to the folks at Victoria University Press. At only $10, it would make the perfect little gift for anyone who missed it, or a souvenir for anyone who was lucky enough to be there. A meditation on imagination, it is raw and honest and a great insight into a fiercely intelligent and creative mind. SUMMER READING        Here’s a selection of books that our staff and board members either loved this year or are looking forward to reading over the summer holidays. Karen Joy Fowler, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Laurence Fearnley, Reach Hannah Kent, Burial Rites David Mitchell, The Bone Clocks Tim Winton, Eyrie  Jim Crace, Harvest Ian McEwan, The Children Act Nic Low, Arms Race Nicky Hager, Dirty Politics Ann Patchett, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage Roz Chast, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? Kirsty Gunn, Infidelities Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale and Bellman and Black Meg Wolitzer, The Interestings Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names Andrea di Robilant, Chasing the Rose Jane Smiley, Some Luck Witi Ihimaera, Maori Boy Michel Faber, Under the Skin and The Book of Strange New Things  John Darnielle, Wolf in White Van Marilynne Robinson, Lila   See you in 2015!