City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion

Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month.

Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.

As part of the wacky children’s festival Young at Art, the Lord Mayor’s Robing Room and Reception Room will be transformed into a comfy Reading Zone, complete with mini-bean bags from Dekko.

Children aged 9-12 years will be treated to tales from Carlo Gébler’s ‘Caught on a Train’ and his new novel, ‘The Short Life of a Happy Hero’, on Thursday October 21 at 6.30pm.

The next day, at 11am, tots aged 3-6 years will learn ‘How to Catch a Star’ from Oliver Jeffers, as well as sneak previews of the talented young Belfast artist’s new book. There also will be a free drop in zone at City Hall, featuring a range of children’s books and refreshments from 2.30-5.30pm on October 21 and 12.00 – 4.00pm on October 22.

Then, as part of ‘Adopt An Author’ scheme, sponsored by Ulster Bank, there will be a series of four readings at City Hall during the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, featuring

Marcus Sedgwick, Caroline Lawrence, Philip Ardagh, and Cliff McNish.

Councillor Eoin Ó Broin, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Arts Sub-Committee said: “We are delighted to be working with both Young at Art and Belfast Festival at Queen’s on the Reading Zone and Adopt an Author.

“It will be great to see so many young faces at City Hall – it certainly provides a stunning setting for the readings.”

For tickets for all of the events, priced £3, contact the Festival Box Office on telephone 028 9097 2626, or see www.youngatart.co.uk and www.belfastfestival.com for full programme details.

(MB/GMCG)