Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival Programme Out Today!

THE DAY HAS ARRIVED TICKETS ON SALE NOW   The day has finally arrived and we are proud to announce the line-up for the WORD Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival, in association with The Press.   27 – 31 August 2014   Today we launch our most ambitious programme yet, with more than 100 writers, thinkers, commentators and performers from New Zealand and around the world appearing in 68 events in the heart of the city.     Luke Harding               Ruth Reichl                  Anis Modjani                    NoViolet Bulawayo These include: world-renowned food writer Ruth Reichl, indie musician and memoirist Kristin Hersh, Guardian journalist Luke Harding, award-winning architect Shigeru Ban, our very own Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, the multi-million-copy bestselling British author of The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield, two-time US National Poetry Slam champion Anis Mojgani, Icelandic crime writer Yrsa Sigurdardottir, acclaimed New York novelist Meg Wolitzer and Man Booker Prize shortlisted Zimbabwean novelist NoViolet Bulawayo. WORD Christchurch Literary Director Rachael King says the programme has something for everyone. “We’re thrilled to be launching the most varied programme in the festival’s 17-year history. It’s both international in its scope and intensely local, with sessions that are very relevant to Christchurch audiences. “A new addition to the festival is the Saturday free family events at Rydges Latimer, giving Christchurch kids the chance to get up close to their favourite international and New Zealand writers at absolutely no cost. We have also introduced a fringe programme, where a less mainstream audience will find entertaining and stimulating events.”                             Transitional Cathedral                           Eleanor Catton Rachael says it is important to the event’s ethos to hold the festival in the heart of Christchurch, with sessions taking place at Rydges Latimer, the nearby Transitional Cathedral and other venues in the central city. “We want to remind Cantabrians and visitors that the inner city can be a great place to be, and to capture the unique character of Christchurch in its transitional state.”   Tickets to all events are on sale now from dashtickets.co.nz. The full programme can be viewed at  wordchristchurch.co.nz