Chairperson: Sheridan Hay

For 15 years, Dublin Writers Festival has been introducing audiences and readers to the best in contemporary writing, hosting readings and discussions and celebrating writing in all its many forms. But, amidst all the debate, the quiet, private act of reading is sometimes overlooked. It’s a strange omission – after all, books are written to be read. But how can we restore the reader to centre stage? Could there be a festival dedicated to reading, and if so, what might it be like?

To rethink the very idea of a literary festival, Dublin and Norwich bring together Christine Dwyer Hickey and Naomi Alderman to present their take on A Festival of Reading, before throwing the discussion open to the audience. The best of your ideas will be fed back into the festival next year, so why not come along, give us your thoughts on reading, and help us shape the festival of the future? No booking required for this event.