Off the Shelf 2019
Off the Shelf 2019 Programme Announced
Saturday 5 – Saturday 26 October
www.offtheshelf.org.uk
Sheffield Hallam University is proud to partner again with the University of Sheffield to curate and run one the largest literary festivals in the UK.
We are proud to announce a jam-packed programme of over 150 events featuring some of the best names in fiction and non-fiction, poetry, politics, journalism, music, history and science. 2019 marks the 28th year of the festival which this year extends beyond Sheffield into Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster.
Off the Shelf offers a diverse and wide-ranging programme of events. Guests this year include Zadie Smith, David Baddiel, Katy Brand, David Suchet, Toria Garbutt, Jack Monroe, George Alagiah, Henry Blofeld, Mark Radcliffe, Jeffery Boakye, Louise Doughty, Michelle Tea, Vanessa Kisuule, BOSH!, Brett Anderson, and local talent including Helen Mort and Otis Mensah – the current Sheffield poet laureate.
One of the major themes of the festival for this year is ‘Environment’ which has been curated by festival director Dr Niamh Downing and Dr Harriet Tarlo from SHU who comment: “Environmental change affects each and every one of us, whether it’s declining insect life in our gardens, air pollution in our city centres, or climactic events at a planetary scale. Each one of these writers and performers addresses environmental change… it has never been more important for us to hear their voices.” This strand consists of 11 events including acclaimed author and SHU visiting Professor Robert Macfarlane talking about his new book ‘Underland’, Mike Berners-Lee, author of ‘There is No Planet B’ and Luke Turner, author of ‘Out of the Woods’.
The research excellence of our staff is showcased throughout the festival with events including: talks about Black Germany before the second world war, 17th century literature and art, creative writing workshops, a hands-on virtual reality exploration of digital fictions, an exhibition, poetry readings, plays, film screenings, author Q&As and more.
Our students are involved throughout the festival from volunteering, writing feature pieces and reviews to being part of the student performances.
Dr Niamh Downing, Head of Humanities at Sheffield Hallam University, has said: “It’s a privilege to work on such a collaborative festival, bringing the best new voices to Sheffield, and showcasing the fabulous homegrown talent of our city, our students and our researchers.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Full details of all events are available on the Off the Shelf website www.offtheshelf.org.uk
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