Belfast Book Festival is back and this year is offering the public the opportunity to 'pay-what-they-want'.
Held at the Crescent Arts Centre in South Belfast from June 10-19, organisers have introduced the policy as a response to the rising costs of living and to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy the talent from across Northern Ireland.
The new concept means that for more than 50 events, the public will be given the option to pay nothing for a ticket when booking on the festival website.
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Chief Executive of The Crescent, Sophie Hayles said: "Other arts organizations, festivals and venues in Northern Ireland and beyond, have previously run pay-what-you-want events. We are testing this approach across a full Festival.
"I love the civic spirit of it - if you are to able to contribute more, then you are supporting both The Crescent and others to join. It’s a calculated risk and I’m sure we will learn a lot from it!"
The 'pay-what-you-want' scheme gives options from Free to £25 when booking - however, the festival is recommending a standard ticket price of £7 per event for those who can afford to.
The Belfast Book Festival is Northern Ireland’s leading literary festival and since its inception in 2010, has grown from strength to strength.
For Book Festival 2022, The Crescent is inviting the public to join them by having a read in their pop-up library, meet, watch and listen to storytellers, write your own stories and get making in their craft workshops.
They hope to use their platform to show that Northern Ireland is bursting with storytelling talent through a series of conversations, workshops, residencies and Awards that seek to connect, amplify and showcase creative communities.
For teenage and Young Adult audiences, the festival is delighted to welcome Sue Divin chatting about her new novel and for a warts-and-all chat about modern motherhood, mental health and looking after each other, festival-goers can join Serena Terry, aka Mammy Banter, with bestselling author Claire Allan.
Sharing the stage with Northern Ireland talent are crime writer Ian Rankin, acclaimed memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink, philosopher A.C. Grayling, builder and entrepreneur Harrison Gardner, New York Times journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, and TS Eliot Prize Winner Joelle Taylor.
The Belfast Book Festival and Crescent Arts Centre are supported by the Arts Council of NorthernIreland and Belfast City Council.
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